E. Jawetz, V. Coleman
Jun 1, 1949
Citations
1
Influential Citations
24
Citations
Journal
The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine
Abstract
Abstract 1.1. Aerosporin brand Polymyxin B is a stable peptide derived from B. polymyxa with marked antibacterial action against many gram-negative organisms. Among bacteria commonly isolated from urinary tract infections, Esch. coli and A. acrogenes were inhibited in vitro by less than 1 μg per milliliter, while many strains of Proteus and Pseudomonas were more resistant. 2.2. Resistance could be induced in susceptible bacterial strains only with difficulty. The action of the antibiotic in vitro appeared to be bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic. 3.3. Multiple intramuscular injections of the drug resulted in cumulative serum levels. The serum levels were greatly increased in the presence of elevated nonprotein nitrogen of the blood. 4.4. In patients with chronic urinary tract infection, Polymyxin B administered for three to four days eliminated susceptible bacteria from the urine and controlled symptoms. The short course of treatment, however, was followed by a bacteriologic relapse within one to three weeks in all cases. 5.5. Prolonged therapy with the drug was not feasible because of toxic symptoms affecting particularly the nervous system. In its present form, Polymyxin B is therefore not suitable for general clinical application.