Synergistic and antagonistic hemolytic activities of bacteria of genus Arcanobacterium and CAMP-like hemolysis of Arcanobacterium phocae and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum with Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus

A total of 57 bacteria representing eight species of genus Arcanobacterium (A.) were investigated for hemolytic properties on blood agar containing sheep and rabbit blood and for CAMP-like reactions. An enhanced hemolysis on blood agar containing rabbit blood compared to sheep blood could be observed for A. haemolyticum, less pronounced for A. hippocoleae and A. pluranimalium.A synergistic hemolytic reaction with staphylococcal β-hemolysin appeared to be constantly visible for A. hippocoleae, A. pluranimalium and A. pyogenes, with Streptococcus agalactiae for A. phocae and A. haemolyticum, with Rhodococcus equi for A. phocae, A. haemolyticum, A. pluranimalium and A. pyogenes and with A. haemolyticum for A. hippocoleae, A. pluranimalium and A. pyogenes, respectively. A reverse CAMP-reaction in the zone of staphylococcal β-hemolysin could be observed for A. phocae and A. haemolyticum. In addition, a novel CAMP-like reaction could be noted between Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, and A. phocae and A. haemolyticum. These synergistic or antagonistic hemolytic properties could possibly be used as additional criteria for identification of bacteria of genus Arcanobacterium.