The depolymerization of bacterial polysaccharides by hyalyronidase preparations.

It has been demonstrated that some strains of Aerobacter aerogenes and Achromobacter fischeri synthesized relatively large amounts of a mucopolysaccharide which was depolymerized by hyaluronidase (Warren, 1950, 1951). This synthesis is of special interest because the bacterial mucopolysaccharide (hyaluronic acid) depolymerized by hyaluronidase has been generally assumed to be limited to the capsular structure of mucoid strains of Groups A and C streptococci. It was thought of interest to study other bacteria as to their ability to produce polysaccharides which are depolymerized by hyaluronidase, and the relation of the synthesis of the polysaccharides to some environmental factors.