In vitro antimicrobial effects of furazolidone & metronidazole
Vinayak, V.K.; Dhar, U.; Sethi, R.K.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 84: 39-43
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 2876955 Document Number: 279403
In vitro activity was studied of metronidazole, furazolidone and their combination on polyxenic and axenic isolates of Entamoeba histolytica (belonging to pathogenic and non-pathogenic zymodemes), axenic isolates of Giardia lamblia and strains of Shigella dysenteriae type-1, Salmonella typhi and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Metronidazole was more effective than furazolidone in vitro against both the protozoan parasites, while combination of metronidazole (3 parts) and furazolidone (1 part) was found to be most effective, even at lower concentrations. Metronidazole, furazolidone or their combination had identical effects on amoeba of pathogenic or non pathogenic zymodemes. All the strains of S. typhi and Esch. coli were sensitive to 100 .mu.g/ml of furazolidone, however, one of the four strains of Sh. dysentery type-1 was found to be resistant to 100 .mu.g/ml of furazolidone. Metronidazole had no anti-bacterial activities against S. typhii, Esch. coli, or Sh. dysentery. Our observations indicate that a combination of metronidazole and furazolidone in a 3:1 ratio effectively killed the intestinal protozoa and bacteria, in vitro.