Abstract:

 The role of bacteriolysis in the pathophysiology of microbial infections dates back to 1893 whenBuchner and Pfeiffer reported for the first time the lysis of bacteria by immune serum and relatedthis phenomenon to the immune response. Later on, basic anti-microbial peptides and certainbeta-lactam antibiotics have been shown not only to kill microorganisms but also to induce bacteriolysisand the release of cell-wall components.In 2009, a novel paradigm was offered suggesting that the main cause of death in sepsis is dueto the exclusive release from activated human phagocytic neutrophils (PMNs) traps adheringupon endothelial cells of highly toxic nuclear histone. Since activated PMNs also release a plethoraof pro-inflammatory agonists, it stands to reason that these may act in synergy with histoneto damage cells. Since certain beta lactam antibiotics may induce bacteriolysis, it is questionedwhether these may aggravate sepsis patient’s condition. Enigmatically, since the term bacteriolysisand its possible involvement in sepsis is hardly ever mentioned in the extensive clinicalarticles and reviews dealing with critical care, we hereby aim to refresh the concept of bacteriolysisand its possible role in the pathogenesis of post infectious sequelae.