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The characteristics of phage Kp attacking Klebsiella pneumoniae, type 2, have been studied. This phage resembles the large coliphages T2 and T5 rather than the smaller phages T1 and T3. Its most striking peculiarity is the production of an enzyme that seems to be under the control of the phage genotype.

Phage-infected bacteria of a type 2 strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae liberate an enzyme which is able to hydrolyze the capsular polysaccharide of this organism. The enzyme is liberated in part as a freely diffusible protein and in part as a form firmly attached to the phage particles. The yield of enzyme is affected by the genetic constitution of both host cell and phage. The enzyme can serve as a chemotherapeutic agent for mice infected with the same strain of bacteria in which the enzyme was produced.