BACTERIOSTATIC AND LYTIC ACTIONS OF PENICILLIN ON SENSITIVE AND RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCI 1

Abstract

In contrast to other bacteria, staphylococci undergo lysis when allowed to multiply in the presence of bacteriostatic concentrations of penicillin. As noted previously (1), all peni- cillin sensitive strains are lysed, whereas insensi- tive strains resist this lytic action. The follow- ing observations clarify certain fundamental aspects of both lysis and bacteriostasis, and have important clinical as well as theoretical im- plications.