title: Critical assessment of antibacterial properties of human amniotic fluid.
abstract: A low molecular weight fraction of human amniotic fluid was found to be rapidly bactericidal for Escherichia coli ATCC 33908. Incubation in an atmosphere of CO2 but not N2 diminished the antibacterial effect suggesting that loss of CO2 and change in pH may be partly responsible for the observed antibacterial activity of the low molecular weight fraction of amniotic fluid. Incubation in pH 8.5 buffers did not duplicate the rapid killing of bacteria observed in the low molecular weight fraction of amniotic fluid, suggesting that elevated pH and an antibacterial factor from amniotic fluid act synergistically. The pH change in amniotic fluid which occurs in room atmosphere may account for some of the antibacterial effect which has been reported for amniotic fluid incubated aerobically.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents