Production and characterization of Pseudomon as aeruginosa hemolysin.

Berk, Richard S. (Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.). Production and characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa hemolysin. J. Bacteriol. 84:1041-1048. 1962.-Hemolysin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained by either extraction of blood agar media after bacterial growth or by saline washing of cellophane plate-grown cells, hemolytic activity being greatest in the latter preparations. Except for variations in heat stability, both types of preparations appeared to be similar if not identical. Complete hemolysis of red blood cells was observed over a wide pH range, although the optima appeared to be below 6.0. Acidification of agar extracts resulted in a coarse precipitate which appeared to be a hemolysin-agar complex. Partial purification of hemolysin present in cellophane washings was obtained by fractionation with ammonium sulfate or by gel filtration. Further characterization of hemolysin is described.