Additivity of action between polysorbate 80 and polymyxin B towards spheroplasts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750.

When polymyxin B and polysorbate 80 were used together against spheroplasts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the activities were found to be additive. These substances have previously been reported to act synergistically against P. aeruginosa, but little or no intrinsic activity towards intact cells has been attributed to polysorbate 80. We suggest that in addition to enhancing polymyxin B penetration to the cytoplasmic membrane, polysorbate 80 may also act as an antimicrobial agent when polymyxin-induced damage to the outer membrane facilitates the surfactant's passage through the cell envelope.