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. 1974 Sep;28(3):452–455. doi: 10.1128/am.28.3.452-455.1974

Radiometric Measurement of Metabolic Activity of Mycobacterium lepraemurium

Edwaldo E Camargo 1, Steven M Larson 1, Byron S Tepper 1, Henry N Wagner Jr 1
PMCID: PMC186741  PMID: 4608779

Abstract

A sensitive and nondestructive radiometric method has been applied to the detection of metabolism of Mycobacterium lepraemurium, as a model for the study of the metabolism and substrate requirements of M. leprae. The method is based on the measurement of the 14CO2 produced through the bacterial conversion of [U-14C]acetate or [U-14C]glycerol by 7 × 109 bacteria suspended in 10 ml of either a simple buffer system (K-36) or a complex medium (NC-5). Metabolism of the bacilli was easily detected within 3 days after inoculation and was measured daily. NC-5 medium supported metabolism of M. lepraemurium for several weeks longer than the simple K-36 buffer. The radiometric technique shows promise as a rapid and efficient system for evaluating the metabolism of mycobacteria without introducing any changes in the physiologic state of the organisms, studying their metabolic pathways, determining conditions potentially favorable for multiplication of these organisms in vitro, and studying their susceptibility to inhibition by drugs.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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