Cholericidic effect of some intestinal disinfectants

Several compounds have been found which are markedly more effective and more economical as chemoprophylactic agents than the tetracycline compounds traditionally used in cholera-endemic areas. Some synergetically acting combinations were shown to exert by several orders of magnitude higher vibriocidal potency than the sum of potency of the compounds when applied singly. In the presence of human intestinal content, however, markedly higher concentrations are needed to exert the proper vibriocidic effect than in aqueous medium. It has been established in guinea pig experiments that the synergistic combinations administered per os in powder form, are able to kill the cholera vibrios within 5 to 10 minutes. The introduction of the appropriate synergistic combinations for controlling the cholera in the endemic areas of Asia and Africa is suggested.