Characterization of haemolytic enterococci isolated from oral infections

Abstract
Ninetytwo strains of haemolytic enterococci were isolated from patients with different oral infections — apical periodontitis and pulpitis — and identified by physiological, biochemical and serological tests. AH strains produced at least one haemolytic toxin which lysed rabbit erythrocytes. Most strains produced extracellular esterase, protease, and a bacteriolytic enzyme. No lecithinase, lipase, DNAse, amylase or staphylolytic enzyme were observed in the strains investigated.