δ-like haemolysin produced by Staphylococcus lugdunensis

Abstract

Thirty independent clinical isolates of Staphylococcus lugdunensis were tested for expression of haemolysin characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and for the presence of DNA sequences with homology to S. aureus toxin genes. Twenty-six strains produced a thermostable haemolysin with greatest activity against rabbit erythrocytes. DNA-DNA hybridisation was performed with S. lugdunensis DNA and probed with the α, β, δ and γ toxin gene probes of S. aureus as well as that for coagulase. Hybridisation was found with the δ probe in 28 strains including 6 which did not express haemolysin. Two strains did not hybridise with any of the probes. These findings suggest that S. lugdenensis strains produce a δ-like toxin which shares homology with the δ toxin of S. aureus. © 1991.