COAGULASE Meaning and
Definition
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Coagulase is an enzyme that plays a vital role in the process of blood coagulation. It is primarily produced by certain strains of bacteria, most notably Staphylococcus aureus, as a key virulence factor. This enzyme acts upon fibrinogen, a soluble plasma protein, and converts it into insoluble fibrin, which forms a mesh-like network that facilitates clot formation.
The coagulase enzyme is characterized by its ability to initiate the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin, a process known as coagulation. This conversion occurs by the enzymatic cleavage of specific peptide bonds within fibrinogen, leading to the formation of fibrin monomers. These monomers can then polymerize and cross-link, resulting in the formation of a stable clot. The coagulase enzyme can be produced in two forms: bound coagulase (also known as clumping factor) that remains attached to the bacterial cell wall, and free coagulase that is secreted by the bacteria into the surrounding environment.
The presence of coagulase allows bacteria to evade the host's immune response by forming protective clots around them. This can aid in the pathogen's survival and dissemination within the host. The detection of coagulase activity is commonly used in clinical laboratories as a confirmatory test for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus, as it is considered a defining characteristic of this bacterium. Coagulase testing involves the addition of plasma to a bacterial culture, and if coagulase is present, clumping or clot formation occurs, confirming the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.
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A clotting enzyme, one which causes coagulation; thrombin and rennin are examples.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COAGULASE
- xoagulase
- voagulase
- foagulase
- doagulase
- ciagulase
- ckagulase
- clagulase
- cpagulase
- c0agulase
- c9agulase
- cozgulase
- cosgulase
- cowgulase
- coqgulase
- coafulase
- coavulase
- coabulase
- coahulase
- coayulase
Etymology of COAGULASE
The word "coagulase" is derived from the Latin term "coagulare", which means "to curdle" or "to congeal". The suffix "-ase" is a common suffix used in biology and refers to an enzyme. Thus, "coagulase" literally means an enzyme that causes coagulation or the formation of clots. Coagulase is an enzyme produced by certain bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, which facilitates the clotting of blood plasma to help protect the bacteria from the host's immune system.
Similar spelling word for COAGULASE
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