Bacteriostatic and Bacteriolytic Properties of Actinomycetes

Abstract

Investigations on the antimicrobial properties of actinomycetes can be divided into two groups: (a) those dealing with the bacteriostatic and bactericidal ac- tivities of these organisms, and (b) those concerned primarily with their bac- teriolytic properties. In both cases, the possible practical applications have been kept in mind. The hope of isolating specific antibacterial substances potentially useful for the control of infectious diseases of man, animals, or plants has been general. Interest in the lytic agents is dominated by the pos- sible use of bacterial lysates for vaccination purposes.