Pseudomonas keratitis. The role of an uncharacterized exoprotein, protease IV, in corneal virulence.

Abstract

Protease IV was found to be a novel Pseudomonas protease contributing to corneal virulence in rabbits and mice when infections were initiated at the corneal surface. Furthermore, production of protease IV in low quantities was sufficient for virulence when the topical stages of keratitis were bypassed by an intrastromal injection of Pseudomonas.