title: Activity of gentian violet and brilliant green against some microorganisms associated with skin infections.
abstract: The antimicrobial activity of gentian violet and brilliant green was tested against various strains of potential skin pathogens, by means of agar diffusion assay. The activity of both compounds was affected by pH. Gentian violet was found to be more active than brilliant green at pH 7.4, particularly against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The spectrum of activity of gentian violet was not increased by the addition of brilliant green. An aqueous solution of gentian violet 0.5% turned out to be an adequate topical anti-infective drug. The preparation is particularly suitable for primary health care in tropical developing countries, because it is cheap, chemically and physically stable, and easy to prepare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Doorne
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gooskens
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Wieringa
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005840:Gentian Violet / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004396:Coloring Agents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C006798:brilliant green; D005840:Gentian Violet