Metabolism of “Sulfapyridine-Fast” and Parent Strains of Pneumococcus Type I

Summary

The acquisition of “sulfapyridine-fastness” by a strain of pneumococcus Type I is associated with a marked diminution in the production of hydrogen peroxide in cultures of this strain. Cell suspensions of the parent and drug-fast strains dehydrogenate glucose equally well. On the other hand, the acquisition of sulfapyridine-fastness is associated with a marked loss of dehydrogenaseactivity for certain 3-carbon compounds (glycerol, lactate, and pyruvate). When sulfapyridine is added directly to the reacting system the dehydrogenase-activity of the parent cells for the same 3-carbon compounds is likewise much decreased.