In: Biology
Why is the coagulase test important in diagnosing infections with Staphylococcus? How does
the production of coagulase benefit a species of Staphylococcus in causing an
infection?
Ans- coagulase testing is the single most reliable method for identifying staphylococcus aureus .Staph Staphylococcus aureus produces free coagulase , staphylococcus epidermis does not . The coagulase test is useful for differentiating potentially pathogenic staphyStaphylo . Such as staphylococcus aureus from other gram positive , catalase positive coagulase . Production can be detected uaing either the slide coagulase test ( SCT ) or tube coagulase test ( TCT).
Clinical isolates of the human pathogens Staphylococcus aureus secrete coagulase( coa), a polypeptide that binds to and activates prothrombin , thereby convert fibrinogen to fibrin and promoting clotting of plasma and blood. The fibrin clot may protect the bacterium from phagocytosis and isolate it from other defenses of the host . The fibrin coat can therefore make the bacteria more virulent and helps staphylococcus in causing infection.