Fosfomycin-induced protoplasts and L-forms of Staphylococcus aureus

The potency of fosfomycin (60 micrograms/ml) to induce bacterial L-forms and protoplasts was studied on two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. On osmotically appropriate agar, L-colonies could be grown and repeatedly transferred to fresh media. The L-forms were sensitive to tetracycline and resistant to penicillin. Protoplasts were produced by treatment of S. aureus in broth for more than 6 h.