Suppression of penicillin-induced bacteriolysis of staphylococci by some anticoagulants

Heparinoids and related negatively-charged substances caused suppression of the penicillin-induced bacteriolysis of staphylococci and a higher viability rate. Furthermore, the penicillin-induced release of cell wall material was reduced by these substances. The main reason for this suppression of bacteriolysis was an inhibition of the activity of cell wall autolytic enzymes while the penicillin-specific perturbations of wall morphogenesis were not affected.