Haemagglutination by Staphylococcus Saprophyticus And Other Staphylococcal Species

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Abstract
S. saprophyticus differed from S. epidermidis and S. aureus by its ability to agglutinate sheep erythrocytes. On testing 30 strains of each species, 28 strains of S. saprophyticus and 1 strain each of the other 2 species, caused agglutination. Twenty-eight of 30 strains of S. cohnii and S. xylosis failed to cause hemagglutination. The hemagglutinating activity of S. saprophyticus, when using a 10% bacterial suspension was demonstrated in dilutions of 1:2-1:32. It was reduced 2-fold, at most, when exposing the bacteria to 56.degree. C for 30 min, while no agglutination could be demonstrated after treatment for 10 min at 86.degree. C. No hemagglutination could be demonstrated after treatment of the bacteria with a 5% solution of trypsin. Treatment of S. saprophyticus with 0.1 M EDTA did not affect the hemagglutinating activity, whereas exposure of the bacteria to 10% trichloroacetic acid reduced the activity. The hemagglutination was D-mannose-resistant and it was inhibited by homologous rabbit antiserum. The agglutinates dispersed when heated at 45-56.degree. C for 30 min. A few of the strains of S. saprophyticus also tested agglutinated human, bovine and guinea pig erythrocytes.