Lysostaphin: an enzymatic approach to staphylococcal disease. I. In vitro studies.

Since 1960, Schindler and Schuhardt have reported several studies on a unique substance which rapidly and specifically lyses staphylococci but has no effect on bacteria of other genera.`' This agent, termed lysostaphin, contains at least two enzymes, a peptidase and an N-acetyl-glucosaminidase.' The specific antistaphylococcal effect is thought to be due to the peptidase which cleaves genus-specific polyglycine bridges in the staphylococcal cell wall.' The enzyme can lyse heat-killed staphylococci and isolated cell wall preparations as well as living microorganisms.' Thus it appeared that lysostaphin might be active against metabolically quiescent staphylococci in abscess lesions where penicillin and other antimicrobials are largely ineffective. This study describes the in vitro activity of lysostaphin. The paper that follows evaluates its use as a therapeutic agent in experimental staphylococcal infections.