BISMUTH SUBSALICYLATE IN THE PREVENTION OF COLONIZATION OF INFANT MICE WITH CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI

Infant mice were used for the evaluation of the efficacy of bismuth subaslicylate (BSS) in the prevention the growth of Campylobacter jejuni in the intestine. The MIC90 of ten C. jejuni strains was 900 μg/ml. Of three dosage regimens tested, continuous treatment before and after the bacterial challenge, mimicking the way BSS is used in the prevention of traveller's diarrhoea, was the most effective. Growth inhibition was dose dependent; the high dose of 2000 μg per day was more effective than 300 μg per day. After cessation of treatment, campylobacter counts increased to the same level as in the control animals. © 1990, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.