Phenotypic chain formation in Clostridium welchii by suramin.

Cl. welchii NCTC 6785 was grown in 1% glucose containing medium having 1% Suramin w/v. The cells grew into long chains of thirty units. This effect was not found beyond 0.5% concentration. On transfer into Suramin free medium the chains reverted to normal morphology indicating the change in morphology to be phenotypic.