[Effect of lytic enzymes on Staphylococcus and the possibilities of their combined use with antibiotics]

Dependence of lytic enzyme preparation activity on temperature and time of Staphylococcus incubation with the preparation was shown. A decrease in the activity with an increase in the ionic strength of the incubation solutions and protective effect of salts on the staphylococcal cells were observed. Possible combined use of the preparation with antibiotics was studied. The enzymatic preparation inactivated penicillins and cephalosporins at the account of the ability of lytic endopeptidases to hydrolyze the peptide bond of the beta-lactam ring. However, its combined use with many other antibiotics such as novobiocin, lincomycin, rifampicin, gramicidin, polymyxin, oleandomycin, streptomycin, kanamycin, tetracycline and levomycetin is quite possible.