[Different effects of a weak static and a weak rotating magnetic field on the growth of mycobacteria]

The authors studied the effect of weak static and weak rotating magnetic field of the same intensity on the growth of some slow- and some fast-growing mycobacteria and on the course of the enzymatic reaction of iron reduction by fast-growing mycobacteria. The experiments yielded the following results: 1. Weak rotating magnetic field inhibited totally the growth of all mycobacteria tested. In the weak static magnetic field the mycobacteria exhibited, after the initial phase of growth depression, full growth comparable to that in controls. 2. The enzymatic reaction of iron reduction by mycobacteria was blocked in the weak rotating magnetic field, whereas in the weak static magnetic field the final phase of this process was comparable to the results obtained in controls.