Growth of some mycobacterial strains in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium in the presence of auramine.

The action of auramine on the growth of some mycobacterial strains in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium as well as the interaction between auramine and calf thymus DNA were investigated. It was concluded that the inhibitory effect of auramine on the growth of some mycobacterial strains belonging to the TB complex or MOTT bacilli is the result of a double mechanism: interaction of auramine with mycolic acid and interaction between the dye and the mycobacterial DNA.