MEDIA AND METHODS OF CULTURE ADAPTED TO THE REANIMATION AND MULTIPLICATION 'IN VITRO' OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS OF REDUCED VITALITY, EPHEMERAL VIABILITY OR IN A STATE OF QUIESCENCE

An egg-medium enriched with oligo-elements, pyruvate and glutamate of sodium, and ossein is described. This basic medium which is more sensitive than the Lowenstein-Jensen medium, can be used for three methods of culture 1 Surface culture basic medium such as usually practiced, assuring the development of bacilli of normal or only slightly reduced vitality. 2 Sous cape culture basic medium exuded ossein BO which protects the bacilli from direct contact with air in the initial stage, accelerates the growth of bacilli of extra-pulmonary origin, and reveals bacilli which are in a state of quiescence. 3 Double layer culture basic medium or BO medium extracts of monkey organs added to the surface which favors the growth of bacilli with greatly disturbed metabolism, stimulates the multiplication of quiescent bacilli, and ensures the reanimation of bacilli hardly able to realize biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo in guinea pigs. The demonstration in vitro of quiescent bacilli, the reanimation of bacilli considered until now as non or only slightly viable, the confirmation of their pathogenicity for guinea pig, throw new light on certain problems of a pathogenic and epidemiological nature which had not previously been solved.