ISOLATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF NONTOXIGENIC DERIVATIVES OF A STRAIN OF CLOSTRIDIUM-TETANI

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (3-4) , 105-115
Abstract
Nontoxigenic derivatives of a toxigenic strain of C. tetani were isolated by treatment with acridine orange, N-methyl-N''-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, rifampicin or UV light. Frequency of appearance of nontoxigenic derivatives on these treatments was 0.8-3.2%. Nontoxigenic derivatives produced all the same extracellular antigenic and protein components as the toxigenic parent strain, except the toxin and materials cross-reacting with the toxin. Nontoxigenic strains, like the toxigenic parent strain, were lysed by treatment with mitomycin C. Bacteriophage was detected in lysates of all nontoxigenic derivatives produced with mitomycin C, and this bacteriophage was morphologically indistinguishable from that obtained from the toxigenic parent strain. The genetic factor controlling tetanus toxin production is discussed.