Tuberculostatic factor in human urine
Oshima, S.
Kekkaku 49(9): 263-265
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9776 PMID: 4216721 Document Number: 71784
A polypeptide showing tuberculostatic activity was isolated from healthy human urine in a chemically pure form by repeated column chromatography (activated charcoal, Amberlite CG-400, Dowex 50, Dowex 1). The minimal concentration for complete inhibition of the growth of virulent tubercle bacilli was 0.04 .mu.g/ml. Its yield was only 2.3 mg from 1000 kg of urine. It contains several kinds of amino-acids and its MW is assumed to be 1000. It inhibited the growth of streptomycin-, p-aminosalicylic acid- and isoniazid-resistant tubercle bacilli, and slightly inhibited the growth of non-pathogenic mycobacteria. The urine of tuberculin-negative children contained the same amount of tuberculostatic substance as urine from adults. The tuberculostatic peptide may be involved with inherent resistance of humans to tuberculosis.