title: In vitro activity of benzoxonium chloride on selected buccopharyngeal pathogens.
abstract: Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of N-benzyl, N-dodecyl-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride (benzoxonium chloride, Orofar), a quaternary ammonium salt, were assayed on 14 strains associated with buccopharyngeal infections. MICs ranged between 2-5 micrograms/ml for Gram-positive bacteria and between 16 and 48 micrograms/ml for Gram-negative organisms. For Candida albicans they were between 6-8 micrograms/ml. MBCs for 1 and 2 min were only slightly higher than MICs. One strain of K. pneumoniae required, however, 100 micrograms/ml and 10 min of exposure. Results show that benzoxonium chloride has strong antimicrobial effect on organisms responsible for buccopharyngeal infections.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D003470:Culture Media; C013850:benzoxonium chloride