Extracellular Deoxyribonuclease Production by Anaerobic Bacteria

Abstract

The production of extracellular deoxyribonuclease was examined with anaerobic organisms isolated from clinical specimens. Nuclease activity was extraordinarily common. All strains of Fusobacterium , including eight species, as well as Bacteroides fragilis and B. melaninogenicus , displayed enzyme activity. Whereas the gram-positive bacteria were generally less productive, all strains of Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus intermedius , and P. anaerobius specifically produced deoxyribonuclease. The test is taxonomically valuable, particularly in the characterization of gram-positive cocci, since a deoxyribonuclease-producing coccus indicates P. intermedius or P. anaerobius . Additionally, possession of the enzyme may prove to be a useful correlate of the potential pathogenicity of anaerobes.