Antibacterial activity of amniotic fluid against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Brucella abortus

Sixty amniotic fluid samples from sixty patients between 14--42 weeks gestation were studied for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Brucella abortus and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Both antibacterial and antifungal activity of the amniotic fluid were observed. When antimicrobial activity was correlated with gestational age, it was found to increase with the period of gestation. Maximum antimicrobial activity of the amniotic fluid was found to be present in the samples obtained between 36--42 weeks of gestation. All samples before 20 weeks gestation showed week antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, but comparatively strong reaction against Candida albicans and Brucella abortus.