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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1963 January; 11(1): 69-74

Toxic Effect of Staphylococcal Lysins for Goldfish¹

Department of Medical Microbiology, California College of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Department of Bacteriology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACT

Goldfish died within 24 hr after intraperitoneal injections of 0.2 ml of Seitz filtrates of hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus cultures grown on Dolman and Wilson medium under increased CO₂ pressure for 72 to 96 hr. Two lethal toxins differing in heat sensitivity, antigenicity, and degree of toxicity were demonstrated. Studies of the relationship between the lethal factors and the hemolysins in the filtrates suggested that - and ß-lysin were responsible for the lethal effects. Filtrates of nonhemolytic staphylococcal cultures were innocuous. Goldfish were suitable animals for detecting toxicity in staphylococcal culture filtrates and for quantitative studies of the toxins. The results were highly reproducible.

¹ From a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Graduate School of the University of Southern California, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree.