Biomaterial Database

Potentiation of antibiotic bactericidal activity by normal human serum. 1978

B S Dutcher, and A M Reynard, and M E Beck, and R K Cunningham

Combinations of certain antibiotics and normal human serum at concentrations at which there was no killing by the agents when used alone were found to be bactericidal for Escherichia coli K-12 cells. This effect was observed with tetracycline, streptomycin (SM), trimethoprim, and ampicillin, but not with chloramphenicol or nalidixic acid. Synergy between SM and human serum was also observed against four of nine smooth strains of E. coli. A plasmid-bearing strain of E. coli K-12 was also killed by combinations of tetracycline or SM plus serum, even though the plasmid conferred resistance to tetracycline and SM. Evidence is presented that the synergy between antibiotics and serum is due to a complement-mediated effect on the bacterial cells that makes the cells more susceptible to the bactericidal effects of the antibiotics.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011815	R Factors	A class of plasmids that transfer antibiotic resistance from one bacterium to another by conjugation.	R Factor,R Plasmid,R Plasmids,Resistance Factor,Resistance Factors,Factor, R,Factor, Resistance,Factors, R,Factors, Resistance,Plasmid, R,Plasmids, R
D001770	Blood Bactericidal Activity	The natural bactericidal property of BLOOD due to normally occurring antibacterial substances such as beta lysin, leukin, etc. This activity needs to be distinguished from the bactericidal activity contained in a patient's serum as a result of antimicrobial therapy, which is measured by a SERUM BACTERICIDAL TEST.	Activities, Blood Bactericidal,Activity, Blood Bactericidal,Bactericidal Activities, Blood,Bactericidal Activity, Blood,Blood Bactericidal Activities
D003165	Complement System Proteins	Serum glycoproteins participating in the host defense mechanism of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION that creates the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Included are glycoproteins in the various pathways of complement activation (CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; ALTERNATIVE COMPLEMENT PATHWAY; and LECTIN COMPLEMENT PATHWAY).	Complement Proteins,Complement,Complement Protein,Hemolytic Complement,Complement, Hemolytic,Protein, Complement,Proteins, Complement,Proteins, Complement System
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D006461	Hemolysis	The destruction of ERYTHROCYTES by many different causal agents such as antibodies, bacteria, chemicals, temperature, and changes in tonicity.	Haemolysis,Extravascular Hemolysis,Intravascular Hemolysis,Extravascular Hemolyses,Haemolyses,Hemolyses, Extravascular,Hemolyses, Intravascular,Hemolysis, Extravascular,Hemolysis, Intravascular,Intravascular Hemolyses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000900	Anti-Bacterial Agents	Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA.	Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D013307	Streptomycin	An antibiotic produced by the soil actinomycete Streptomyces griseus. It acts by inhibiting the initiation and elongation processes during protein synthesis.	Estreptomicina CEPA,Estreptomicina Clariana,Estreptomicina Normon,Strepto-Fatol,Strepto-Hefa,Streptomycin Grünenthal,Streptomycin Sulfate,Streptomycin Sulfate (2:3) Salt,Streptomycin Sulphate,Streptomycine Panpharma,Strepto Fatol,Strepto Hefa
D013752	Tetracycline	A naphthacene antibiotic that inhibits AMINO ACYL TRNA binding during protein synthesis.	4-Epitetracycline,Achromycin,Achromycin V,Hostacyclin,Sustamycin,Tetrabid,Tetracycline Hydrochloride,Tetracycline Monohydrochloride,Topicycline,4 Epitetracycline
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor