Rapid killing of Mycobacterium terrae by N-chlorotaurine in the presence of ammonium is caused by the reaction product monochloramine.
We have studied the activity of the weak endogenous oxidant N-chlorotaurine against Mycobacterium terrae. The study revealed slow killing of more than 2h duration by 1% (55 mM) N-chlorotaurine. In the presence of ammonium chloride, however, killing times decreased to a few minutes, even by 0.1% N-chlorotaurine. This phenomenon is explained by formation of the lipophilic and therefore more bactericidal monochloramine as a result of transhalogenation of ammonia by N-chlorotaurine.
Nagl
M
M
Institute for Hygiene, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Gottardi
W
W
D000643:Ammonium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D002700:Chloramines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D013654:Taurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D002700:Chloramines; D000643:Ammonium Chloride; D013654:Taurine; C043410:N-chlorotaurine; C030816:chloramine