On the metabolic characteristics of Shigella flexneri X Escherichia coli, devoid of ability for intracellular multiplication in epithelial cells. III. Oxygen uptake and dehydrogenase activity.

The oxygen uptake and dehydrogenase activity of avirulent xyl+ and xyl- str hybrids (KCP-), obtained from virulent strains Sh. flexneri (Sh. flexneri 222 5 a and Sh. flexneri M42-432a) and donor strain E. coli AB 313, devoid of ability for intracellular multiplication in epithelial cells are studied. Some tricarboxylic acid intermediates, hexoses and pentoses were used as substrates. A definite tendency has been established, indicating a decreased rate of oxygen consumption and dehydrogenase activity of the hybrids, compared to the respiratory activity of the virulent recipient strains tsh. flexneri in all substrates used.