Bactericidal Action of X-Rays in the Presence of Dyes

Abstract

Summary

Mercurochrome, eosin, and methylene blue exerted a bactericidal action on gram-positive organisms concurrently exposed to X-rays. While eosin is not a photodynamically active substance on gram-negative bacteria it produced a distinct bactericidal action on them in the presence of X-rays. The facts that a non-lethal dose of X-rays produced germicidal action in the presence of dyes and that such an action could be enhanced by introducing an oxidizing agent suggests that the fundamental mechanism of photosensitization and the combined action of X-rays and dyes may fall into the same category.