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THE CULTURAL AND STAINING REACTIONS OF A STRAIN OF THE TUBERCLE BACILLUS PRODUCING PARALYSIS IN GUINEA PIGS
1Department of Animal Pathology of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, Princeton, N. J.
Abstract:
When a strain of human tuberculosis was carried from guinea pig to guinea pig by intracerebral inoculation the bacillus of tuberculosis could be readily recovered in the semisolid "Leptospira" medium of Noguchi simply modified by the substitution of guinea pig for rabbit serum. Whether even this modification is required remains to be determined. The tubercle bacillus in these cultures and possibly in the nervous tissue as well differed from the classical type in that it was less acid-fast and quite lacking in alcohol fastness. However, it retained the Gram stain as modified by Much. Staining reactions, as this culture of the tubercle bacillus shows, are not absolute qualities but are variable with conditions, a consideration which it may be important to recognize. Efforts to define these conditions more precisely are likely to be productive.
Insights
Researchers successfully cultured Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a modified Noguchi medium, observing altered staining properties in the tubercle bacillus. This finding highlights the variability of bacterial staining under different conditions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The tubercle bacillus (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is the causative agent of tuberculosis.
- Culturing Mycobacterium tuberculosis, especially from nervous tissue, presents significant challenges.
- Understanding the bacillus's characteristics in different environments is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the successful cultivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a modified laboratory medium.
- To characterize the staining properties of the tubercle bacillus when cultured from guinea pig nervous tissue.
- To explore the variability of bacterial staining based on culture conditions.
Main Methods:
- Intracerebral inoculation of guinea pigs with a human tuberculosis strain.
- Cultivation of the bacillus in a modified Noguchi medium using guinea pig serum.
- Analysis of the bacillus's acid-fastness, alcohol-fastness, and Gram staining properties.
Main Results:
- The tubercle bacillus was successfully recovered and cultured in the modified semisolid medium.
- Cultured bacilli exhibited reduced acid-fastness and lacked alcohol-fastness compared to classical strains.
- The modified Gram stain (Much's method) was retained by the cultured bacilli.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be cultured in a modified Noguchi medium with guinea pig serum.
- Environmental conditions significantly influence the staining characteristics of the tubercle bacillus.
- Staining reactions are not absolute and require careful consideration of culture conditions.
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