Further observations on the potentiation of the antibacterial effect of methenamine by acetohydroxamic acid.

The use of methenamine in the treatment of urinary tract infections due to Proteus species is limited by urine alkalinity. Acetohydroxamic acid, an inhibitor of urease, maintains acidity despite growth of Proteus in urine. Easily achievable concentrations of acetohydroxamic acid in vitro systems that simulated the dynamics of the urinary tract potentiated the antibacterial effect of methenamine against Proteus species. The combined use of a urease inhibitor and methenamine may be effective in the treatment of urinary infection caused by these organisms.