Clotting and fibrinolytic activities of Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

106 strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus ss. asaccharolyticus, intermedius and melaninogenicus were tested for production of extracellular blood clotting and fibrinolytic factors. 78.3% of tested strains caused clotting of rabbit plasma and 79.2% activated human plasminogen. Strains producing the clotting or fibrinolytic factor only were isolated. Both factors were quite active, as positive results for most strains were detected within one hour of incubation in controlled test system.