Special aspects of laboratory investigations with mecillinam

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Abstract
Microscopy of an Escherichia coli culture growing in the presence of 0·2 μg/ml mecillinam revealed morphological changes different than those produced by penicillin. Prior to lysis occurring, large, spherical cells were produced possessing a volume 50 to 100 times greater than that of normal cells. The cells could be main tained in media of low osmolality and specific conductivity. Lysis was prevented by high concentrations of electrolytes in the medium. Variations of electrolyte con centration in different media resulted in different MIC values or inhibition zones for the same organism. The increase in volume of some cells balanced the decreasing number of cells. This resulted in an apparent growth and discrepancy between viable count and optical density.

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