Effect of the composition of the gaseous and aqueous environments on the survival of tubercle bacilli in vitro.

Tubercle bacilli die much more rapidly under anaerobic than under aerobic conditions. Anaerobically, the rate of death is accelerated by increased CO(2) pressure, and when certain metabolites (lactate for example) are present in the medium. Death of the bacilli under certain conditions of anaerobiosis is accompanied by loss of ability to take the acid-fast stain and by progressive cellular disintegration. These findings are discussed in relation to (a) the glycolytic equipment of tubercle bacilli, (b) their fate in tuberculous lesions.