Application of cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose degradation by beta-glucosidase and vaginal microbes to toxic shock syndrome.
Eleven bacterial and two yeast strains, four of which were previously identified as having activity on a lightly cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose (CLD-2) found in one type of superabsorbent tampon, were grown on a variety of substrates, most containing cellulosics. None produced detectable amounts of cellulases, but all elaborated beta-glucosidase. None of these 13 strains nor 3 commercially obtained beta-glucosidase preparations could hydrolyze CLD-2, although a commercial cellulase and two other bacterial preparations known to produce cellulases could. Based on these results, it appears that previous work suggesting that the degradation of CLD-2 by vaginal microbes and beta-glucosidase is implicated in the production by Staphylococcus aureus of toxin causing toxic shock syndrome must be reevaluated.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002480:Cellulase / Q000378:metabolism; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005959:Glucosidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000378:metabolism*
D002482:Cellulose; D008747:Methylcellulose; D005959:Glucosidases; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D002480:Cellulase; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium