Some Properties of Gram-negative Bacilli Obtained from a Strain of Staphylococcus aureus in the Presence of Benzylpenicillin

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Abstract
Gram-negative bacilli were obtained from the Oxford strain of S. aureus in the presence of benzylpenicillin. Single cells were isolated and their properties compared with those of the parent staphylococci. The two types differed strikingly in morphology, staining and various biochemical reactions. The bacilli were much more resistant to benzylpenicillin but much less resistant to polymyxin. Staphylococci were recovered from all the strains of bacilli. More than half of the recovered strains resembled the original staphylococcus in all properties tested, including phage type. The remainder formed a heterogeneous group, differing in some properties from the parent. Later, some members of this group also became indistinguishable from the original staphylococcus.