Growth Of Streptococcus Pyogenes and Streptolysin O Production In Complex and Synthetic Media

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Abstract
A comparative study of the growth of a highly hemolytic group A streptococcal strain in trypticase-yeast extract medium and in a chemically defined medium was undertaken. Appreciable growth was obtained in the latter medium with the release of significant amounts (120 hemolytic units) of streptolysin O. Thus, toxigenic factors present only in the peptones of complex media are not essential for biosynthesis and release of this cytolytic toxin, as is the case for many bacterial toxins. NADase was also released in the synthetic medium. Bacterial cell mass, growth rate and streptolysin O production were 3-fold higher in the complex medium. The effects of various carbohydrates on streptolysin O production in the complex medium were investigated. No repression of toxin formation by glucose was observed. The relationship between growth and toxigenesis in streptococci and in other toxigenic bacteria is discussed.