Open AccessThe photodynamic action of methylene blue on certain viruses
Author(s) -
J. R. Perdrau,
Charles W. Todd
Publication year - 1933
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series b, containing papers of a biological character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9185
pISSN - 0950-1193
DOI - 10.1098/rspb.1933.0011
Subject(s) - methylene blue , bacteriophage , photodynamic therapy , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , chemistry , action (physics) , photochemistry , biology , virology , organic chemistry , escherichia coli , biochemistry , physics , photocatalysis , genetics , quantum mechanics , gene , catalysis
In a previous communication (Perdrau and Todd, 1933), dealing with the photodynamic action of methylene blue on bacteriophage, we have recorded the results of experiments confirming the observations of Clifton (1931), both as regards the part played by visible light in bringing about the reaction and also as regards the necessity for the presence of free oxygen. In the course of these experiments it was found that while the free phage is highly sensitive to the photodynamic action of methylene blue, it becomes very much more resistant to the dye in the presence of the corresponding living bacterium. This protection of the phage is only exercised by living bacteria, killed organisms being without effect. It is, moreover, not a strictly specific phenomenon, as protection is in some cases brought about by bacteria other than those for which the phage has been prepared. In view of the many similarities of behaviour shown by the bacteriophage and the ultramicroscopic viruses, it seemed not improbable that some of the latter might be susceptible to the photodynamic action of methylene blue, and tests were accordingly made with such viruses as we had at our disposal.