THE IN-VITRO SYNERGISTIC INHIBITORY EFFECT OF HUMAN AMNIOTIC-FLUID AND GENTAMICIN ON GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI

The activity of serum and its synergistic effect with many antibiotics against bacteria are well known. Few reports are available on similar phenomena produced by human amniotic fluid (HAF). Thus we investigate d the antibacterial activity of HAF and the presence of a synergistic effect with gentamicin (GM) against Escherichia coli strains. Antimicr obial activity was evaluated as a delay of the growth curve, using a t urbidimetric method, E. coli ATCC 10798 and E. coli SC 12155 were empl oyed as test micro-organisms in nutrient broth, and GM was used at a s ubinhibitory concentration, HAF exerted antibacterial activity and, co operating with GM at subinhibitory concentration, enhanced its antibio tic activity against E. coli. The presence of Schlievert's glycoprotei n in HAF could explain these results.