title: Detection of coagulase activity in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.
abstract: Coagulase activity was detected in 99% of 225 strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. These strains included isolates from a variety of animal and environmental sources. Activity could be detected by the tube or slide technique, with the tube reactions being easier to interpret. Coagulation of rabbit and/or bovine plasma was observed, with most strains reacting in both. The activity appeared to be a common characteristic of the species and may be useful in differentiating E. rhusiopathiae from Listeria and Corynebacterium species, which fail to demonstrate the activity. There was no correlation noted between coagulase activity and the serotype, source, geographic origin, or virulence (as detected by mouse pathogenicity tests) of the isolates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames 50011.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tesh
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003030:Coagulase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004888:Erysipelothrix / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012703:Serotyping; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D003030:Coagulase