DOES ENTEROCOCCI POSSESS VIRULENCE FACTOR S

Enterococci provoke various cutaneous, mucosal, urinary infections as well as endocarditis and neo-natal sepsis. Virulence factors of these bacteria are still poorly known. Only two factors have been so far cha racterized both coded by plasmid genes: a hemolysin-bacteriocin and a small peptide sex pheromone secreted by recipient bacteria leading to the synthesis of aggregation substance which facilitates bacterial cel l mating. Strains exhibiting the hemolysin phenotype were significantl y more virulent in mice (in terms of lethality) than the non hemolytic mutants obtained by transposon insertion.