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Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (1999) 44, 725-728
© 1999 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

Leading article

The use of bacitracin as a growth promoter in animals produces no risk to human health

Ian Phillips*

30 Fentiman Road, London SW8 1LF, UK

Introduction

Zinc bacitracin is a mixture of high molecular weight polypeptides (bacitracin A, B and C and several minor components), first described in 1945 as a product of a Bacillus sp. (now recognized as Bacillus licheniformis), contaminating wounds. It has activity against some Gram-positive organisms, among which Staphylococcus aureus is somewhat less susceptible and Streptococcus pyogenes is highly susceptible. It is noteworthy that the high susceptibility of S. pyogenes, established by Maxted in 1953, still obtains and continues to be used as a diagnostic test for Lancefield Group A streptococci.1

Bacitracin acts bactericidally by binding to isoprenyl pyrophosphate, the lipid carrier that transfers N-acetylmuramyl-N-acetylglucosamyl-amino acid cell wall building blocks across the cytoplasmic membrane, a mechanism unlike that of any other commercially available antibiotic. Acquired resistance is known, for example in S. aureus, but is uncommon. Other organisms, such as enterococci, seem always to have varied . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Acquired resistance to bacitracin

Transmission of bacitracin-resistant Enterococcus faecium to man

Risk assessment

Risk management

Risk of bacitracin resistance for humans

Conclusions

Notes

References


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