Behaviors of a Vigorous Protease-Producing Strain ofStaphylococcus aureusin the Skin Tissue of Mice

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Abstract
The behavior of a protease-producing strain of S. aureus, including the production of .alpha.- and .beta.-hemolysin, protease and nuclease in the skin tissue of mice, as examined by the fluorescent antibody technique and hematoxylin and eosin staining. When .apprx. 106 viable cells were s.c. inoculated into a mouse, they were phagocytized by leukocytes and a suppurative focus developed in situ. No active extracellular substances other than .alpha.-hemolysin were demonstrated in this mouse. When 107 viable cells were inoculated, most of them were also phagocytized by leukocytes, and a large suppurative focus formed. In this focus a low degree of multiplication of the organisms was observed. Protease and .alpha.-hemolysin could be detected near the leukocytes. When 108-109 cells were inoculated they multiplied transitorily in the subcutaneous tissue and produced the 4 substances mentioned above. The multiplication of bacterial cells and the production of extracellular substances ceased within a comparatively short period, and the transitory state was similar to that in a batch fermenter. Necrotic and histolytic lesions were observed only in the mice inoculated with 108-109 viable cells. Similar dermatolytic lesions were also found in mice injected with 0.5-1.0 mg of pure protease.