ANTIBIOTIC GLYCOSIDES, IV. STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF ERYTHROMYCIN RESISTANCE IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

Erythromycin resistance in a resistant genetically -stable strain of B. subtllis was compared with the erythromycin-sensltlve parent strain. Destruction of the antibiotic and exclusion of the antibiotic does not account for the change in erythromycin sensitivity. Using the auxotrophic requirements (L-tryptophan and adenine), it was demonstrated that the utilization of amino-acids is inhibited by erythromycin in the sensitive bacteria; and the resistant cells overcome this inhibition. Resistance occurs where there is an increased tolerance to the antibiotic-inhibited process.