[Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on the growth level of bacteria].

The effect of subinhibitory concentrations of 5 antibiotics on the growth rate of 2 bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) has been studied. Chloramphenicol, dibekacin, netilmicin and nalidixic acid have a direct effect on the growth rate. Apparently, aminoglycosides and nalidixic acid have an accompanying effect on the affinity for the energizing substrate. Amoxicillin does not seem to be concerned by this 2 mechanisms. The interest of the estimation of the growth rate by an adaptative algorithm has been pointed out.