Growth Promotion of Bovine Tubercle Bacilli by Pyruvate.

SummaryThree newly isolated strains of bovine tubercle bacilli that were unable to grow on Long's medium grew luxuriously on this medium after the addition of 0.1% pyruvate. Of 3 laboratory strains of “dysgonic” bovine tubercle bacilli, 2 showed a similar behavior. Addition of pyruvate had no effect on the growth of 12 human strains of tubercle bacilli.