The effect of a fixed non-mineral oil on the antibacterial activity of ampicillin trihydrate against resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

The effect of King's Vegetable oil, a fixed non-mineral oil, on the antibacterial activity of ampicillin trihydrate, a water- insoluble form of ampicillin, was investigated against resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In the agardiffusion method employed, 40% of the resistant clinical strains tested showed sensitivity to different oil-dispersed concentrations of ampicillin trihydrate, which ranged from 0.06ìg/ml to 1.25ìg/ml. The resistant strains were among the clinical
strains detected with Beta-lactamase. This finding is presented as a preliminary report on the potentiality of employing an oil medium to effect a "cure" of antibiotic resistance in staphylococci besides the use of acridine dyes, ethidium bromide, ultraviolet radiation and other measures.