The lysis of dead bacteria by bacteriophage.

Abstract

There is no difference of opinion that only young and actively growing bacteria are subject to transmissible lysis. Old or dead bacteria do not undergo lysis and do not contribute to the increase in concentration of the active lytic substance, but rather, on the contrary, bring about a measurable reduction of it.Recently, Twort1 has stated (somewhat similar to the evidence offered a year earlier by Gratia2, 3) that dead staphylococcus may undergo lysis if, in addition to a suitable bacteriophage, there is also present live staphylococcus. We have confirmed these observations, and in addition have endeavored to ascertain the explanation of the mechanism of this phenomenon. We found that in order to elicit the phenomenon it is necessary to control the numbers of live and dead bacteria in the mixture. An excess of dead bacteria interferes with lysis by adsorbing the active lytic substance before it has the opportunity to initiate lysis of the live bacteria, and thus all solution is prevented. The phenomenon ...