Strain-related differences in lysozyme sensitivity and extent of O-acetylation of gonococcal peptidoglycan

Peptidoglycan from Neisseria gonorrhoeae RD5 was completely degraded by hen egg white lysozyme and was not extensively O-acetylated. In contrast, peptidoglycans from gonococcal strains FA19 and FA102 (a penicillin-resistant mutant derived from FA19), were markedly resistant to digestion by hen egg white lysozyme and were extensively O-acetylated.