728 6. O-IODOSOBENZOATE 



the activity against bacteria will be strongly influenced by the media used 

 and the other conditions; most of the media for pathogens contain substances 

 readily reacting with o-iodosobenzoate. Phagocytosis of staphylococci and 

 streptococci by human leucocytes is stimulated by o-iodosobenzoate, but 

 this is indirect since it occurs only in the presence of serum, and is perhaps 

 an activation of serum opsonin (Arkin, 1912). 



The psittacosis virus is 30-75% inactivated by exposure to 0.1 roM o-iodo- 

 sobenzoate for 1 hr at 37°, only p-chloromercuribenzoate of aU the agents 

 tested being more potent (Burney and Golub, 1948). In addition, it is the 

 most effective substance in reducing viral growth in chick embryo cultures 

 without inhibiting culture growth. The selectivity is probably not great 

 enough to warrant clinical interest. 



