Biological Studies on Entamoeba histolytica. IV. Direct Action of the Antibiotic, Prodigiosin.

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Abstract
Prodigiosin was tested in the range 1:2x107 to 1:105 against 2 distinct strains of E. histolytica, grown respectively with a single bacterial associate and with a mixed flora. Expts. were conducted in Balamuth''s liver-eggyolk infusion and extended 48-72 hr. In all apparently negative tubes bacterial populations were counted and subcultures were made for possibly viable amebae. The monobacterial strain (NRS plus Aerobacter aerogenes) proved more susceptible, failing to survive at 1:4x105. The mixed culture (UC strain) failed to survive at 1:105 even with relatively huge inocula, although the amount of inoculum was shown to influence the amebicidal endpoint. Analysis disclosed that the bacterial flora, oxidation-reduction potentials and pH were not adversely affected by the exptl. treatment. This is apparently the first record of proved direct action of an antibiotic against E. histolytica.