Bacteriostatic and Bacteriolytic Properties of Actinomycetes

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Abstract
A study was made of the distribution among the actinomycetes of bacteriolytic activities against killed and living gram-positive bacteria. These properties were found to be widely distributed; no lytic action was observed, however, against living gram-negative organisms. Ability to dissolve heat-killed bacteria was significantly associated with ability to dissolve living gram-positive bacteria. Sterile filtrates of many cultures of actinomycetes could dissolve heat-killed bacteria, but they were less active against living gram-positive bacteria, with no activity against living gram-negative bacteria. The property of inhibiting the growth of gram-positive bacteria, especially of spore-bearing organisms, is widely distributed among the actinomycetes; similar activity against gram-negative bacteria is exceptional. Growth-inhibiting properties of actinomycetes are significantly associated with bacteriolytic action upon living gram-positive bacteria. The actinomycetin type of activity was found in representatives of the three genera: Actinomyces, Proactinomyces and Micromonospora. No relation was observed between the taxonomic position of the antagonists and their activity. No evidence was found for the production of adaptive lysins by actinomycetes grown in association with bacteria, and no evidence for the formation of true lysozyme.

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