Abstract
P. aeruginosa resistant to preservative concentrations of benzalkonium chloride, phenylmercuric nitrate and chlorocresol in nutrient broth was inactivated by using phenylethanol-antibacterial combinations. EDTA-antibacterial combinations also showed increased activity using benzalkonium and chlorocresol. P. aeruginosa resistant to 0·25% chlorbutol was inactivated using phenylethanol-chlorbutol combinations at concentrations which were ineffective alone. Similarly P. aeruginosa having an increased resistance to chlorhexidine was inactivated by phenylethanol-chlorhexidine combinations at concentrations that were ineffective alone. Phenylethanol showed a greater general usefulness than EDTA at the concentrations tested.