hemolysin /himol″əsin/ [Gk, haima + lysis, loosening] , any one of the numerous substances that lyse or dissolve red blood cells. Hemolysins are produced by bacterial strains, including staphylococci and streptococci, and are contained in venoms and vegetables. Bacterial hemolysins are divided into those that are filterable and those that cluster around the bacterial colony on a culture medium containing red blood cells. Hemolysins appear to aid the invasive power of bacteria. Also spelled haemolysin. See also hemoglobin, hemolysis.
