The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 98, 99-105,
Copyright, 1953, by The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research New York
EFFECT OF INFECTION WITH M. TUBERCULOSIS AND OF TUBERCULIN SHOCK ON THE SUCCINIC DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY OF GUINEA PIG TISSUES
S. N. Chaudhuri M.B.B.S.1 and
Samuel P. Martin M.D.1
1 From The Department of Medicine and Bacteriology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham
The kidney of guinea pigs infected with the H37Rv and BCG strains of M. tuberculosis showed a diminution in succinic dehydrogenase activity when measured by the tetrazolium technique. This effect was also seen in the liver and spleen of animals infected with the BCG strain. Sensitized animals showed similar results when given tuberculin in sublethal doses. The succinic oxidase was also low in the kidneys of animals infected with the H37Rv strain.
The depressed enzyme activity of the tissues of infected animals could be restored to normal by addition of normal tissue extract or dialysate. This suggests that the alteration in tissue metabolism observed in tuberculosis may depend upon the loss of some as yet unidentified factor important for succinic dehydrogenase activity.
Submitted on April 5, 1953