Abstract:

The role of bacteriolysis in the pathophysiology of microbial infections dates back to 1893 when

Buchner and Pfeiffer reported for the first time the lysis of bacteria by immune serum and related

this phenomenon to the immune response. Later on, basic anti-microbial peptides and certain

beta-lactam antibiotics have been shown not only to kill microorganisms but also to induce bacteriolysis

and the release of cell-wall components.

In 2009, a novel paradigm was offered suggesting that the main cause of death in sepsis is due

to the exclusive release from activated human phagocytic neutrophils (PMNs) traps adhering

upon endothelial cells of highly toxic nuclear histone. Since activated PMNs also release a plethora

of pro-inflammatory agonists, it stands to reason that these may act in synergy with histone

to damage cells. Since certain beta lactam antibiotics may induce bacteriolysis, it is questioned

whether these may aggravate sepsis patient's condition. Enigmatically, since the term bacteriolysis

and its possible involvement in sepsis is hardly ever mentioned in the extensive clinical

articles and reviews dealing with critical care, we hereby aim to refresh the concept of bacteriolysis

and its possible role in the pathogenesis of post infectious sequelae.

Publisher's Version