EFFECT OF METAVANADATE ION ON THE GROWTH IN VITRO OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

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Abstract
The effect of vanadium ion on the growth in vitro of M. tuberculosis in a defined medium was studied. The stimulation of growth by this metal reported by other investigators was not confirmed. Instead, the metal was found to be inhibitory to the growth of this organism., This inhibition was most marked in the presence of polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate (Tween 80). The inhibitory effect of vanadium varied with different saprophytic species of mycobacteria. A similar inhibitory action was found with manganous ion and chromate ion. The inhibition caused by vanadium was reversed, however, by minute quantities of either. A possible competitive relationship was apparent. Titanium and iron were not appreciably inhibitory to the growth of M. tuberculosis. However, both titanium and ferrous (but not ferric) iron appeared to produce an additive inhibitory effect with vanadium. The inhibitory action of vanadium was diminished in the absence of Tween 80 or in the presence of bovine albumin. There was no quantitative relation between the amount of Tween 80 present and the concentration of vanadium required to inhibit growth. Bovine albumin apparently decreased the inhibitory activity by binding the metal.