Bacteriostatic Action of Sulphonamide Derivatives

Abstract

WE have confirmed and extended the observations of L. K. Wolff and H. W. Julius (1939) that sulphanilamide acts on bacteria only when they are multiplying, that is, in the logarithmic phase of their growth. Taking into consideration the physicochemical changes which are apparent in the environment of bacteria rapidly subdividing, more especially the rapid fall in potential which accompanies multiplication, we have looked for a reducing agent and have found that about the time when the sulphonamides begin to act in vitro a substance is produced which gives the o-dinitrobenzene test applied by Fearon and Kawerau (1943) to the recognition of dienol compounds. This substance is of the nature of, and may be identical with, reductone.