Antistaphylococcal Activity of Sodium Methicillin

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Abstract
Introduction Several British investigators have published preliminary observations with a new penicillin which is active against penicillin-ase-producing staphylococci.1-10 Our studies of this penicillin, sodium methicillin (penicillin X-1497 or sodium 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl penicillin monohydrate), have included comparisons of the bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of methicillin, penicillin G, penicillin V, and phenethicillin (penicillin 152) against several recently isolated bacterial species; the susceptibility tests of staphylococci were correlated with the activity of staphylococcal penicillinase on 3 penicillins. In addition, measurements were made of the antistaphylococcal activity of serum and transudates after large intramuscular doses of methicillin. A number of hospitalized patients have been treated to determine the effect of methicillin on nasal carriers of staphylococci. Finally, a small group of patients with serious bacterial infections have been treated and observed for toxicity and therapeutic effectiveness. Materials and Methods The susceptibility of various bacteria to the 4 penicillins*was determined by a twofold serial