OXYGEN INHIBITION OF GROWTH OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS.

Gottlieb, S. F. (Linde Division, Union Carbide Corporation, Tonawanda, N.Y.), Noel R. Rose, Jerome Maurizi, and Edward H. Lanphier. Oxygen inhibition of growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Bacteriol. 87:838-843. 1964.-Continuous or intermittent exposure to 3 atm of oxygen in the presence or absence of 40 mm of Hg CO(2) resulted in marked delay or inhibition of growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This inhibition was more pronounced with newly inoculated cultures, as compared to young, actively growing cultures. Oxygen inhibition of growth was observed on both Lowenstein-Jensen and blood agar media. Bacteriostatic effects of oxygen are a direct function of exposure time. A more marked effect of oxygen was observed in the presence of isoniazid, streptomycin, or p-aminosalicyclic acid.