The development in vitro of particles from cytoplasm. I. Observations on particle development in bacteriologic media.

A system is described in which microscopically visible particles develop from cytoplasmic proteins incubated in vitro. The conditions required for the development of particles are those usually associated with enzymic reactions. The particles are believed to develop as a result of enzyme action on cytoplasmic proteins in the presence of compounds having certain specific chemical configurations. The relation of the particles to various "microorganisms," described in the literature as etiologic agents of disease, and to the problem of seemingly positive blood cultures is discussed.