Inactivation of Toxins of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium welchii in vitro by Sulfanilamide. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Toxins from 3 hemolytic strains of Staphylococcus aureus were inactivated by sulfanilamide in vitro. This was demonstrated by the survival of 92% of 630 mice injected intraäbdominally with the sulfanilamide-toxin mixture and the death of all 195 controls which received toxin only. The in vivo action of sulfanilamide, administered either before or subsequent to the toxin, was less marked.

The toxin of Clostridium welchii was likewise inactivated in vitro by sulfanilamide. Eighty-four per cent of 120 and 86% of 140 mice, injected intraäbdominally and intramuscularly, respectively, with the toxin-sulfanilamide mixture survived. In vivo, sulfanilamide protected 83% of 120 mice, when administered after the intraäbdominal injection of the toxin, and 90% of 120 mice after intramuscular inoculation. Only 8% of 60 control mice, injected intraäbdominally, and 12% of 60 control mice, injected intramuscularly, lived.