Abstract
In previous report it was clarified that the zone of inhibition was formed by sputum without antibiotic by means of the cup diffusion technique using Bacillus subtilis as a test organism. Lysozyme is found in organs and secret ion of human and animals, and is known to have bacteriolytic action on certain bacteria.
In this report the effect of lysozyme on the zone of inhibition by sputum was evaluated.
1) The activity of lysozyme in sputum was ranged from 240 to 700 mcg/ml, and was higher in mucoid sputum than in purulent sputum.
2) The bacteriolytic action of lysozyme in sputum was considered to cause the formation of the zone of inhibition in cup diffusion technique.
3) In measuring the antibiotic level in sputum, the bacteria with low sensitivity against lysozyme should be selected as a test organism.
