title: Biological assay of potential trichomonacides in vitro using a counter apparatus.
abstract: Utilising the accuracy and speed of a Coulter Counter for cell counting and sizing, a new method of antimicrobial assay has been developed in which the potency of inhibitors is calculated on a mol/cell basis. A total of 72 potential trichomonacides were screened against Trichomonas vaginalis and the ED50 value estimated for 27 of the most interesting and potent compounds. The ED50 value for metronidazole was a mean of 5.12 fmol/cell and only 6 compounds were more potent. After the nitroimidazoles, the acridines were the most potent group of compounds. Only chlortetracycline and gramicidin caused an increase in mean cell size.
mesh_terms: D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010274:Parasitology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014244:Trichomonas / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole