Analysis by Gas Chromatography of Amines and Nitrosamines Produced In Vivo and In Vitro by Proteus mirabilis

Reproducible procedures suitable for routine analysis of small quantities of body fluids and culture media were developed by use of gas-liquid chromatography, heptafluorobutyric-anhydride derivatives, and electron-capture detectors. Proteus mirabilis was isolated from two clinical cases of bacteriuria, and the alkalineextractable products elaborated by this organism in vivo were compared with those produced in vitro. N-nitrosodimethylamine, a potent carcinogen, was produced along with other amines by P. mirabilis in all urines tested (both in vivo and in vitro) and in cooked-meat medium. This compound was not produced in vitro by a strain of Escherichia coli tested on the same substrates. The significance of these findings was evaluated, with emphasis on the carcinogenic activity and toxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine and on the use of gas-liquid chromatography as a tool for the diagnosis of urinary-tract disease.