title: The action of various venoms on Escherichia coli.
abstract: The antibacterial activity of honeybee venom (Apis mellifera), three snake venoms (Naja naja sputatrix, Vipera russellii and Crotalus adamanteus) and the polypeptide melittin was investigated against Escherichia coli. Minimum inhibitory concentration values, cell lysis and alterations in cell permeability were determined and action against E. coli was in the order: A. mellifera venom greater than melittin greater than N. naja sputatrix venom much greater than V. russellii venom greater than C. adamanteus venom. Cellular damage by A. mellifera and N. naja sputatrix venoms was evident in electron micrographs.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008555:Melitten / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012910:Snake Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D012910:Snake Venoms; D014757:Viper Venoms; D008555:Melitten