Abstract
Summary
1. The isolation of 94 strains of Cl. welchii from human feces, soil, and animal feces was facilitated by the use of sodium azide in the culture media. 2. These strains were tested for mouse virulence, and for ability to produce the enzymes lecithinase and hyaluronidase. Fixty-six per cent of the strains producing both enzymes were virulent, as were 47% of those producing only lecithinase. Twenty-four per cent of those strains producing only hyaluronidase and 28% of those producing neither enzyme were virulent. 3. Of 41 mouse virulent strains isolated, 83% produced lecithinase, and 54% produced hyaluronidase. Of all strains isolated, 70% produced lecithinase whereas only 52% produced hyaluronidase.
4. It is concluded that regardless of the role of hyaluronidase in a gangrenous lesion, its in vitro production by a given strain of Cl. welchii bears no necessary relationship to the virulence of that strain for mice.
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