INCIDENCE OF HEMOLYSIN, GELATINASE, AND AGGREGATION SUBSTANCE AMONG ENTEROCOCCI ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH ENDOCARDITIS AND OTHER INFECTIONS AND FROM FECES OF HOSPITALIZED AND COMMUNITY-BASED PERSONS

The presence of hemolysin, gelatinase, and aggregation substance (by u se of a probe known to hybridize to most pheromone-responsive plasmids ) was determined in 192 isolates of Enterococcus faecalis from patient s with endocarditis or other infections and fecal isolates from hospit alized patients or healthy volunteers, and in 86 non-E. faecalis isola tes. Hemolysin was more common in nonendocarditis clinical isolates an d in hospital fecal isolates (37% and 31%, respectively) than among en docarditis and community fecal isolates (16% and 20%, respectively). G elatinase and aggregation substance, respectively, were found in 54% a nd 52% of isolates from endocarditis, in 58% and 72% of isolates from other infections, in 62% and 56% of hospital fecal isolates, and in 27 % and 30% of fecal isolates from healthy volunteers. All 86 non-E. fae calis enterococcal isolates were negative for these traits. The absenc e of hemolysin, gelatinase, or the aggregation substance gene in >45% of endocarditis E. faecalis isolates suggests that while these traits may play a role in virulence, other properties are also important.