THE INFLUENCE OF DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE ON THE STABILITY OF TYPHUS RICKETTSIAE

Abstract

The survival of the Madrid E strain of Rickettsia prowazeki as measured by their toxicity for mice, hemolytic activity, or infectivity for eggs is increased in the presence of DPN, markedly decreased by autoclaved DPN. The toxic effect of autoclaved DPN can be prevented by the simultaneous addition of unaltered DPN. DPN increases the rate of O2 uptake of rickettsiae with glutamate as substrate. Autoclaved DPN at a concn. of 0.27 mg./ml. inhibits the rate of O2 uptake 40%-50%. This inhibition can be prevented by the addition of unaltered DPN.