PRODUCTION OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES BY ORAL ISOLATES OF EIKENELLA-CORRODENS

Eikenella corrodens isolates from periodontally healthy subjects and a dult periodontitis patients were compared for their ability to produce a range of potential virulence factors. All were positive for proline aminopeptidase, thiol-dependent haemolysin and esterase activities. L ow or negative activities were found against casein, phospholipid, lip id, collagen, aminophosphate, phosphate under acid or alkaline conditi ons, and eleven other amino acid substrates tested. In oral infections , the haemolytic activity of E. corrodens could be amplified in the re duced environment of the periodontal pocket and damage host cells. Pro line aminopeptidase may act against proline residues in collagen, immu noglobulins and complement proteins.