[Antibacterial action of the polymeric antiseptic catapol]

Activity of a polymer derivative of catamine AB, the antiseptic catapol, against gram positive and gram negative bacteria was studied. The effect of catapol on structural components of bacterial cells and permeability of bacterial cell membranes was investigated. The possibility of varying the susceptibility of bacteria to catapol and the effect of catapol on bacteria susceptible to antibiotics were evaluated. It was shown that by its in vitro antibacterial activity, catapol does not significantly differ from catamine AB.