Isolation and purification of eubacteria and fungus with catalytically inactive murein binding enzymes

A method for capturing, isolating and purifying a eubacteria or a fungus from a biological sample, wherein said biological sample is brought into contact with a solid phase comprising a catalytically inactive murein binding enzyme for a period of time and under conditions suitable for binding of the eubacteria or the fungus to the catalytically inactive murein binding enzyme thereby effecting said capture;

• and wherein the eubacteria or fungus so bound is next either washed to remove exogenous materials and effect said isolation and purification, or alternatively, wherein said eubacteria or fungus so bound is first washed to effect said isolation and next treated in a manner effective to release said eubacteria or fungus thereby effecting said purification.