Effect of Ethambutol on Cytology of Mycobacterium Smegmatis.

Gale, Glen R. (Veterans Administration Hospital, Durham, N.C.) and Helen H. McLain. Effect of ethambutol on cytology of Mycobacterium smegmatis. J. Bacteriol. 86:749-756. 1963.-Electron microscopy showed the effects of the antimycobacterial drug, ethambutol [d-2,2'-(ethylenediimino)-di-1-butanol], on the cytology of Mycobacterium smegmatis. After 10 hr of exposure to the drug, cells no longer contained material which, in control cells, was closely associated with cellular division, possibly genetic substance. No marked changes were observed in other cellular structures. It was concluded that the drug may block one or more steps in the synthesis of pentose nucleic acid or deoxypentose nucleic acid, ultimately causing cessation of cellular division and loss of viability. These cytological findings were compatible with results of other investigators on the mode of action of this drug.