Combined action of lysozyme with various antibiotics and chemotherapeutics

Abstract

In vitro investigations have been made to study wether lysozyme increase the antibacterial activity of several chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotic. In the first series of experiments the "disc method" was used and in the second series of esperiments liquid culture media were used where the bacteria were allowed to grow in the presences of the different concentrations of a chemotherapeutic agent or an antibiotic, In the first case antibacterial effect was ecaluated by measuring the diameter of the halo of inhibition and in the second case the minimal effective concentration of the active agent necessary to inhibit completely the growth was established. It was found that lysozyme enhanced the effect of sulfonamides both int he Gram positive an Gram negative bacteria. It also enhaced the effect of coulislin (Colymycin) on the Gram negative germs as well as that of the group of tetracyclines and streptomycine in the Gram positive germs. Penicillin, chloramphenicol and other antibacterial agents were not potencialed by lysozyme.