The peroxidase content and the antibacterial activity of the amniotic fluid

A possible relationship between the antibacterial activity of amniotic fluid and its peroxidase content was examined. Antibacterial activity, assessed by counting colonies of S. aureus following 24 hour incubation, was present in 76% of the samples studied. It was not related to gestational age. Peroxidase activity, assessed by the O-dianisidine method, was not found in any of the amniotic fluid samples examined.