Morphological Aberrations ofNutritionally Deficient Streptococci: Association withPyridoxal (Vitamin B6) Concentration andPotential RoleinAntibiotic Resistance

A strain ofa nutritionally deficient streptococcus wasshowntoundergo morphological aberrations according topyridoxal concentrations inthegrowth medium. Filamentous rod-shaped cells, observed byelectron microscopy, predominated inthepresence ofdecreasing concentrations. Multiple invaginations in theouter cell wallsuggested inhibition ofbinary fission. Penicillin antimicrobial studies performed inthepresence ofsimilar pyridoxal concentrations indicated a relationship between filamentous formsandpenicillin susceptibility.