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Effect of Ethylenediamine Tetraacetate on the Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Antibacterial Agents

Nature volume 207, pages 1391–1393 (1965)Cite this article

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a resistant pathogen which is dangerous in ophthalmology1, as a hospital cross-contaminant2, and as a plant pathogen3. We have used the spectrophotometric method of Brown and Richards4 to investigate the effect of disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) on the action of several antibacterial agents against cultures of Ps. aeruginosa, NCTC 8203, in nutrient broth. It was found that the activity of polymyxin B sulphate, benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine diacetate against this organism was substantially increased in the presence of EDTA. Magnesium and calcium ions were found to block this potentiating action. EDTA was also found to potentiate the action of polymyxin against cells grown in undiluted serum.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, College of Science and Technology, Ashley Down, Bristol

    MICHAEL R. W. BROWN & R. M. E. RICHARDS

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  1. MICHAEL R. W. BROWN
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  2. R. M. E. RICHARDS
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BROWN, M., RICHARDS, R. Effect of Ethylenediamine Tetraacetate on the Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Antibacterial Agents. Nature 207, 1391–1393 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/2071391a0

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