Extracellular deoxyribonuclease production by anaerobic bacteria.

The production of extracellular deoxyribonuclease was examined with anaerobic organisms isolated from clinical specimens. Nuclease activity was extraordinarily common. All strains of Fusobacterium, including eight species, as well as Bacteroides fragilis and B. melaninogenicus, displayed enzyme activity. Whereas the gram-positive bacteria were generally less productive, all strains of Clostridium perfringens, Peptostreptococcus intermedius, and P. anaerobius specifically produced deoxyribonuclease. The test is taxonomically valuable, particularly in the characterization of gram-positive cocci, since a deoxyribonuclease-producing coccus indicates P. intermedius or P. anaerobius. Additionally, possession of the enzyme may prove to be a useful correlate of the potential pathogenicity of anaerobes.