The incubation of Bacillus subtilis W23 or Bacillus cereus on a vancomycin-containing medium resulted in a rapid contraction or shrinkage of the cells which was followed by lysis. The ejection of protoplasm from the cell during lysis was very forceful. The "burst" of protoplasmic material was observed at the ends of the cell and at one or two sites on the lateral cell wall. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that vancomycin inhibits cell wall synthesis and ultimately destroys the normal structure and integrity of the wall.
Most gram-negative bacteria are refractory to the lytic action of lysozyme unless the cells have been conditioned for lysis by certain prelytic or co-lytic treatments. There are suggestions that the resistance of gram-negative bacteria is conferred by protein which protects the mucopolysaccharide lysozyme substrate (Becker
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