An effect of hydroxyurea on Staphylococcus epidermidis: temporary loss of viability.

Although hydroxyurea (HU) is recognized as a specific inhibitor of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, it did not have this effect in a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this case, HU caused a loss of colony-forming ability but did not prevent cell division in liquid medium. DNA synthesis apparently was affected only secondarily. About 10% of the population recovered colony-forming ability during the latter part of the growth cycle or when growth was slowed by chloramphenicol. Recovery also occurred when HU was removed from the medium. HU prevented cellular autolysis.