STREPTOCOCCAL L FORMS

Abstract

Upon prolonged subculturing in a liquid medium the microscopic growth characteristics of the L form of the AED strain of B hemolytic streptococcus resembled those of the parent Streptococcus. The effect of solutions of varying composition and osmolarity on structural integrity and viability has been investigated. Although phosphate and glycerol solutions were either erratic or without effect, 0.25 to 0.88 [image] sucrose solutions were osmotically protective. These results afford a means of obtaining the viable L form intact and free from components of the growth medium and suitable for chemical and metabolic studies. Preservation of viability of this L form for a period of 2 months by lyophilization in 0.3 [image] sucrose has been achieved.