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Osmotic Stability and Sodium and Potassium Content of L-Forms of Streptococcus faecalis

Research and the Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital (Wadsworth), Los Angeles, California 90073, the Departments of Medicine, Harbor General Hospital, Torrance, California 90509, and University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90024

ABSTRACT

A stable L-form of Streptococcus faecalis (T₅₃) was transferred in media containing decreasing concentrations of sucrose until it grew in medium without added osmotic stabilizer. This L-form (designated T_53I) was compared with T₅₃ from which it was derived. The survival of these two L-forms suspended at different osmolalities showed that maximal survival for T_53I was 350 to 400 milliosmolal and for T₅₃ was 900 to 1,000 milliosmolal. Both peaks were at the osmolality of their growth media. Measurement of intracellular potassium and sodium showed that the concentration of these ions was reduced in T_53I.