title: Phospholipase C activity in microorganisms associated with reproductive tract infection.
abstract: Phospholipase C (lecithinase or phosphatidylcholine phosphorylase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of lecithin into phosphorylcholine and 1,2-diglyceride. Bacterial production of phospholipase C may damage reproductive tract tissues by both direct and indirect mechanisms. Use of the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenylphosphorylcholine phospholipase C activity was determined in 204 isolates representative of those found in female genital tract. Multiple aerobic (28%) and anaerobic (28%) reproductive tract microorganisms showed phospholipase C activity. Phospholipase C-producing isolates included strains of Bacteroides fragilis, B. bivius, B. thetaiotaomicron, Gardnerella vaginalis, and group B streptococcus. Phospholipase C activity was heterogenous; not all isolates that belong to a particular species showed activity. Phospholipase C production may be a possible virulence factor produced by a number of microflora commonly implicated in various reproductive tract infections or conditions, as well as in some instances of preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Center, Denver 80262.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lawellin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco-Buff
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Todd
mesh_terms: D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000382:microbiology; D004716:Endometritis / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011645:Puerperal Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000382:microbiology; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C033523:4-nitrophenylphosphorylcholine; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D010738:Type C Phospholipases