SYNERGISM BETWEEN )-BETA-D-GLUCOPYRANOSYL-(1-3)-BETA-D-GLUCOPYRANOSE GLUCAN AND CEFAZOLIN IN PROPHYLAXIS OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL WOUND-INFECTION IN A GUINEA-PIG MODEL

To determine whether the infection-preventing capability of the neutro phil-activating agent )-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-beta-D-glucopyrano se glucan (PGG-glucan) can be enhanced with antibiotic prophylaxis, we administered PGG-glucan and cefazolin, alone and in combination, to g uinea pigs inoculated,vith isolates of staphylococci. Guinea pigs rece iving both PGG-glucan and cefazolin had 50% infective doses that were 8- to 20-fold higher than those obtained with cefazolin alone and 100- to 200-fold higher than those obtained with PGG-glucan alone. PGG-glu can and cefazolin are synergistic in their ability to prevent staphylo coccal wound infection.