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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 5, Issue 2, 2012 pp 94-99

Research Article

A Clinicomicrobiological Study of Enterococcus Species with Special Reference to Its Virulence Factors

Sharma Revati, Pai (Bhat) Chitra, Urhekar A.D.

Department of Microbiology, MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Clinical samples were screened for enterococcus species. 215 enterococcal isolates were biochemically characterized. Seven species of enterococcus could be identified. The isolates were further screened for the presence of virulent factors such as hemolysin, gelatinase, enterococcal surface protein (esp) and aggregation substance (Agg) both phenotypically and genotypically. Virulent factors are known to cause an increase in the severity of the infection in animal models. The isolates produced 54 (25%), 77 (36%), 122 (57%) and 2(1%) of hemolysin, gelatinase, enterococcal surface proteins and aggregation substance respectively.  The hemolysin (cylA) and gelatinase (gelE) genes did not correlate with their respective phenotypic expression indicating the presence of silent genes. The urine isolates had the maximum number of virulence factors.