BACKGROUND Use of herbal extracts and essences as natural antibacterial compounds has become increasingly popular for the control of oral infectious diseases. Therefore, finding natural antimicrobial products with the lowest side effects seems necessary. The present study sought to assess the effect of Punica granatum L. water extract on five oral bacteria and bacterial biofilm formation on ort...

There are distinct varieties of basil types in the genus Ocimum L. which makes them very special. Genus Ocimum L. is widespread over Asia, Africa, Central and Southern America. All basils are member of the Lamiaceae family. The colors of the leaves vary from bright green to purple-green and sometimes almost black. Fresh basil leaves have a strong and characteristic aroma, plant which is used in...

The bactericidal properties of dog blood for Brucella suis have been described previously (Victor, Wells et al., 1952). Because leucocytes were essential for bactericidal activity toward this strain, the relation between bactericidal and phagocytic activity of dog blood was investigated. In order to measure phagocytosis satisfactorily a method must be employed yielding reproducible results. The...

Staphylococcus epidermidis colonises a wide range of implanted prosthetic devices, but rarely contact lenses -- despite a similarity in material composition. A conceivable explanation for this anomaly is the action of the tear defences, including the constitutive proteins lactoferrin and lysozyme. Therefore this study investigated the effect of lactoferrin, lysozyme and serum on the growth of S...

The acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase system in the presence and absence of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and chloride has been employed as a model of the oxygen-dependent antimicrobial systems of the PMN. The unsupplemented xanthine oxidase system was bactericidal at relatively high acetaldehyde concentrations. The bactericidal activity was inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, the hydroxyl r...

In a number of taxa, males and females both display ornaments that may be associated with individual quality and could be reliable signals to potential mates or rivals. We examined the iridescent blue/green back and white breast of adult tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to determine whether plumage reflectance is related to adult or offspring immune responses. We simultaneously addressed the...

To further the development of a multidrug regimen for treatment of leprosy that is suitable for monthly administration and fully supervisable, the bactericidal activities against Mycobacterium leprae of HMR 3647 (HMR), moxifloxacin (MXFX) and rifapentine (RPT) were measured by the proportional bactericide technique in the mouse footpad system, and compared with those of the established antilepr...

There is a considerable body of evidence supporting the role of secretory type II-A phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) as an effector of the innate immune response. This enzyme also exhibits bactericidal activity especially toward Gram-positive bacteria. In this study we examined the ability of sPLA(2)-IIA to kill Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax. Our results show that both ge...

1. By a suitable bactericidal technique, it can be demonstrated that the virulent S influenza bacillus is completely resistant to the bactericidal action of diluted normal unheated serum. In contrast, the R organism is easily killed when subjected to the action of diluted normal serum. Although this is not a true virulence test, it promises to be a useful substitute when a susceptible animal is...

Although it is generally believed that bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs should not be combined in vivo, in vitro experiments using the checkerboard dilution technique revealed no antagonism between penicillin/cephalothin and rolitetracycline but rather additive or synergistic activity of either drug combination in 40 to 50% of 20 Escherichia coli, and 14 Staphylococcus aureus strains. Slig...