In Vivo Antibiotic Production by Escherichia Coli

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that antibiotic-producing strains of Escherichia coli will secrete antibiotics while growing in the peritoneal cavity and subcutaneous tissues of mice. Significant levels of antibiotic appear in the serum, as well as in the local exudates, of such infected animals. Injection of non-antibiotic-producing E. coli strains yielded exudates and sera devoid of inhibitory activity. The antibiotic produced by one of these organisms in vivo seems to be identical with that produced in vitro.