Extracellular enzymes of fecal strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

During a three year study 67 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from stools of 67 patients with gastroenteritis. Serotypes 3 and 6 were the most frequent. The three strains that were serotype 11 were also the only beta-galactosidase producers. All strains were strongly pigmented. Over 90% of the isolates produced hemolysin, gelatinase, protease (caseinase), fibrinolysin, lecithinase and elastase. Fecal carriers of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be considered a source of dissemination of potentially virulent and invasive strains.