Abstract
Summary
Hemolytic streptococcal strains, virulent for chick embryos, were found able to utilize hyaluronic acid for respiration to a greater extent than relatively avirulent strains. With the micro-organisms tested, it appears that the hydrolytic products and not hyaluronate itself are utilized in respiration, such hydrolysis occurring presumably through the agency of hyaluronidase. Pathogenic bacteria frequently found associated with group A streptococci in vivo had a synergistic relationship with the latter in utilizing hyaluronate as a substrate for energy. On the basis of these findings, a mechanism of pathogenesis by hemolytic streptococci alone and with associated agents of infection was proposed. Certain clinical findings, interpreted as evidence for the existence of such a process, were cited.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the assistance of Miss Clara Boyd.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.