Endogenic metabolism and pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci
Mikucki, J.; Szarapińska-Kwaszewska, J.; Surewicz, K.
Medycyna Doswiadczalna i Mikrobiologia 31(2): 65-75
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8601 PMID: 502646 Document Number: 146003
Endogenous metabolism was assayed in 2 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from clinical and non-pathogenic material. Patterns of endogenous metabolism were comparable in the pathogenic strain and in the possibly pathogenic coagulase-positive staphylococci; free pool amino acids were the main substrate. Consumption of considerable amounts of RNA and active O2 uptake were observed in this strain upon starvation. The non-pathogenic strain showed endogenous metabolism typical for coagulase-negative saprophytic staphylococci; the cells contained poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyric acid which was first used upon starvation. As compared with the pathogenic strain, this strain showed a low level of endogenous metabolism; lower RNA amounts were consumed and O2 uptake was less active.