A Host-Mediated Microbial Assay for the Detection of Mutagenic Compounds

Abstract

A procedure was established whereby a microbial indicator was incorporated in an animal system to identify and characterize mutagenic agents. The organisms, histidine auxotrophs of Salmonella typhimurium, were injected into mice intraperitoneally, and the test compound was administered intramuscularly. Mutagenesis, indicated by an increase in the incidence of prototrophs in the population, was induced by dimethylnitrosamine, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, and streptozotocin. Such a system appears capable of detecting microbial mutagenic activity in compounds which remain or become physiologically active after administration.