Production of Polysaccharide by Staphylococcus aureus. IV. Correlation of Lytic Response with Penicillin Activity

Summary

Studies on the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of nafcillin, oxacil-lin, and cloxacillin on S aureus supported the view that nafcillin and the isoxazole penicillins may induce important changes in the cell wall during growth that result in increased susceptibility to lysis by lysozyme and trypsin. The observations suggested that significant quantitative differences exist between the ability of nafcillin and the other semisynthetic penicillins to render S. aureus susceptible to enzymic action. The significance of the data is discussed, with particular reference to the possible in vivo effects of subinhibitory concentrations of the penicillins in mediating a favorable interplay between the tissue environment and the parasite.