Potentiation of the Antimicrobial activity of crystal violet by sub-inhibit ray concentrations of cetrimide

Cetrimide, in subinhibitory concentrations, potentiated the biostatic and biocidal activities of crystal violet against candida albicans, staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus epidermidis. This was evidenced by the values of the death rate constant [K] and decimal reduction time [D] at different time intervals. Topical preparations containing low concentrations of crystal violet could, therefore, be formulated together with minute amounts of cetrimide, thus avoiding any adverse reactions and the objectionable staining properties of the dye. This synergistic combination could be used repeatedly as mouth wash, gargle, vaginal douche and for the treatment of skin affections