Specific Inhibition of Obligate Anaerobes

Abstract

MANY drugs are known which optimally inhibit single groups of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, or protozoa), or which inhibit specific types within one of these groups (Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, pathogenic or non-pathogenic fungi). For example, certain antibiotics only inhibit bacteria; the polyene antibiotics only inhibit fungi; fumagillin inhibits protozoa¹. This list can be extended to include compounds other than antibiotics: crystal violet (Gram-positive bacteria), sodium azide (Gram-negative bacteria). These compounds, possessing taxonomic specificity, are clearly contrasted with non-specific antimicrobial agents such as the halogens, phenols, and quaternary ammonium compounds.