Journal of Dental Research, Vol 62, 1041-1044, Copyright © 1983 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Production of histolytic enzymes by a combination of oral bacteria with known pathogenicity
G. Dahlen, M. Wikstrom and A. Moller
Eight oral bacterial strains, isolated from an infected root canal, have
been investigated for their capacity to produce histolytic enzymes. The
determination was performed using methods espoused by two different
principles. Eleven out of 12 enzymes examined were demonstrated in the
"eight-strain collection". In no single bacterial strain were all enzymes
revealed. It was suggested that the pathogenicity of the bacterial strains,
singly or in combination, was not solely dependent on the production of
these enzymes. The histolytic enzymes may have a potentiating role on other
pathogenic factors in infectious diseases.
