In vitro, a synergism was demonstrated between kanamycin and penicillin against penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, and against six
Proteus strains. Strains of
E. coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and
Enterococcus showed a variable response to the combination of these two antibiotics.
On the basis of the results obtained, a number of conclusions were reached with regard to the range of indications for treatment
with these combined antibiotics. Indications include infections caused by penicillin-resistantStaphylococcus and urinary infections caused byProteus bacteria. Infections by other bacteria may also constitute an indication, but it is maintained that in vitro determination
of resistance is indispensable in all cases.
A number of arguments are presented against the use of a quantitatively fixed combination of the two antibiotics.