The Necessity of Carbon Dioxid for the Growth of B. Tuberculosis

Assimilation of CO2 by bacteria

“…Among the first observations leading to this conclusion was the inhibi tion of the tubercle bacillus when C0 2 was absorbed by alkali (Wherry and Ervin, 1918). Cohen and Fleming (1918) …”

Assimilation of CO2 by bacteria

“…Although no mechanism had been suggested for the assimi lation of CO2 into organic compounds by heterotrophs, the stimulation of growth by CO2 had been reported. Among the first observations leading to this conclusion was the inhibi tion of the tubercle bacillus when C0 2 was absorbed by alkali (Wherry and Ervin, 1918). Cohen and Fleming (1918) found that 10% CO2 had the same stimulatory effect on meningococci as the addition of an aerobe, and Chapin (1918) reported that CO2 facilitated the growth of gonococci.…”

The mechanism of carbon dioxide fixation by the acid-fast organism, Mycobacterium phlei

“…That carbon dioxide may have an influence on the growth of the tubercle bacillus was first indicated by Wherry and Ervin (1918). They found that complete removal of carbon dioxide from the environment prevented the growth of the organism even in the presence of all the other gaseous con stituents of the air.…”

“…The necessity of carbon dioxide for the growth of acidfast bacteria has been known for quite some time (Wherry and Ervin, 1918;Rockwell and Highberger, 1926;Masur, 1926;Davies, 1940;Schaefer et al, 1955). The role of carbon dioxide, however, is not well understood.…”