Detection and Property of Leptospiral Hemolysin

렙토스피라용혈소의 검색과 성질

To detect lepotospiral strains which produce hemolysin and determine the optimal condition for assaying hemolysin, we screened reference strains and observed some property of hemolysin. Hemolysin activity was assayed with cell free culture liquids and erythrocyte suspension. The production of hemolysin by local strains isolated in Korea was assayed and compared with that of reference strains. The hemolysin was produced by 18 strains among 38 reference strains and 3 local strains isolated in Korea. The production of hemolysin began with growth of Leptospira cultured in EMJH medium and reached maximum at stationary phase. The optimum temperature for hemolytic activity was $37^{\circ}C$. At lower temperature the activity of hemolysin was decreased progressively. The hemolytic activity was completely inactivated after :30 minutes' exposure at $56^{\circ}C$. Hemolysis pattern was "hot-cold type" which showed increased hemolysis after cold incubation. The hemolysin was most active on sheep erythrocyte and less active on ox, goat, human and guinea pig erythrocyte with the decreasing order.