Antibiotic combinations are frequently used to provide broad-spectrum empiric coverage for serious infections,and in critical conditions before confirmatory diagnosis.Up till now,studies on antibiotic combinations have mainly focused on their bactericidal and inhibitory activities and few have investigated the postantibiotic effect (PAE) of such combinations.However,it is important to determine the PAE since it is a factor that influences the antibiotic dosing interval.In the present study,we investigated the PAE of penicillin G plus gentamicin on Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209 P in vitro .The results showed that the combination of penicillin G and gentamicin provided a more prolonged PAE,with more rapid killing than penicillin G or gentamicin alone.
