cellulase and Shock--Septic

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.

Topics: Bacteria; beta-Glucosidase; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulase; Cellulose; Female; Glucosidases; Humans; Methylcellulose; Mitosporic Fungi; Shock, Septic; Vagina

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.

Topics: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulase; Female; Glycoside Hydrolases; Humans; Hydrolysis; Menstruation; Shock, Septic; Staphylococcus aureus; Syndrome; Tampons, Surgical; Vagina

Topics: Bacteria; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulase; Female; Humans; Methylcellulose; Risk; Shock, Septic; Tampons, Surgical

Topics: Adult; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulase; Enterobacteriaceae; Female; Humans; Shock, Septic; Syndrome; Tampons, Surgical