L Type Cultures Isolated from Streptococci.,

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Abstract
L cultures were isolated from 2 strains of alpha-hemolytic streptococci obtained from the human mouth. The appearance of these cultures and their morphology are similar to those of other bacteria, and they originate in a similar way from the parent streptococci. Under certain influences, especially exposure to penicillin, the cocci grow to large bodies from which on appropriate media, L type colonies develop. The L forms of streptococci are insensitive to penicillin and, like the L forms of Gram-positive sporebearing bacilli, do not require animal serum for growth. The cocci reappear several times in cultures of the L form. Only 2 strains of streptococci were induced to produce L forms. However, colonies similar to the L type colonies of streptococci in appearance and growth requirements often develop on plates inoculated from the human mouth, suggesting that streptococci which produce L forms often are present in the mouth.

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