[Effects of subinhibiting concentrations of fosfomycin on the ultrastructure of E. coli K 126].

In the present paper we have evaluated the ultrastructural effects of fosfomycin on E. coli K 126, after different exposure times with subinhibitory concentrations (1/2 MIC). After 3 hrs, the antibiotic acts on bacterial morphology. Population shows some elongated forms and lysed cells with abnormal divisions. At 6 hrs, on the other hand, the bacteria appear intact, though they present cytoplasmic disorganization and cell wall particularly undulated. In the presence of fosfomycin, the cells tend to clump together.