Growth of toxic-shock-syndrome strain of Staphylococcus aureus after enzymic degradation of 'Rely' tampon component.
beta-glucosidase, cellulase, alpha-mannosidase, beta-galactosidase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were tested for their ability to hydrolyse the carboxymethylcellulose contained in 'Rely' tampons (R-CMC). The end-products of the hydrolysis were determined by chromatography. Only beta-glucosidase and cellulase hydrolysed R-CMC and the major product detectable after enzymic degradation was glucose, as confirmed chromatographically and by the glucose oxidase test. The enzymic-degradation products of R-CMC were able to support the growth of a toxic-shock-syndrome strain of Staphylococcus aureus. This finding suggests that as it is degraded by enzymes in the vaginal cavity R-CMC may become an exogenous source of nutrients for pathogenic organisms.
D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D002480:Cellulase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008598:Menstruation; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development*; D013577:Syndrome; D013630:Tampons, Surgical; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D002480:Cellulase; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium