Comparison of the Activity of Ionophores with Other Antibacterial Agents Against Anaerobes

Abstract
Representative polyethers of each group in Westley's classification and related ionophore antibiotics were examined for in vitro activity against 25 anaerobic strains. Lasalocid (X-537A) and nigericin were found to have activity comparable in potency to some leading antianaerobe antibiotics, newer cephalosporins and nitroimidazoles, with a different spectrum as revealed by a spectral comparison. A strict relationship between their antianaerobe activity and either their structural features or cation transporting properties was not apparent.