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-ch lorotaurine. In the presence of ammonium chloride, however, killing times d ecreased to a few minutes, even by 0.1% N-chlorotaurine. This phenomenon is explained by formation of the lipophilic and therefore m ore bactericidal taurine.