Searching for activity in microbial cultures
Soil microbiology at Rutgers supplied cultures for the search for antibacterial substances. Researchers collected, separated and grew microorganisms, then tested whether their products affected other bacteria. In 1943 Schatz and colleagues obtained the substance named streptomycin. Schatz, Bugie and Waksman reported it in 1944, describing isolation and antibacterial activity. A microbial product had become material for further experiments, requiring continued screening, preparation and comparisons of potency.
Tuberculosis treatment in a controlled comparison
Further experiments showed activity against tuberculosis bacteria, followed by treatment in patients. The British Medical Research Council reported a pulmonary tuberculosis trial in 1948, comparing streptomycin recipients with controls using a planned allocation procedure. Images, clinical changes and deaths were recorded. Limited supplies helped shape the organization of the trial. Allocation and assessment received close attention, linking clinical observation with a research design intended to produce comparable results.
Resistance and the development of treatment
Resistance and adverse effects became apparent, limiting results from a single drug. Other tuberculosis medicines followed, and combination treatment and sustained administration became further subjects of research. Manufacture, testing, supply and clinical management connected laboratory activity with continuing care. Streptomycin also encouraged wider searches for natural microbial products. Researchers investigated new antibiotics while examining how bacterial populations changed after drugs entered routine use.