Effects of diethylstilbestrol on the production of various extracellular products of Staphylococcus aureus

Summary The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol at a subinhibitory level of 1.75 g/ml diminished the production of staphylococcal alpha toxin, coagulase, deoxyribonuclease and penicillinase. Thus, the reported host beneficial effects of diethylstilbestrol may be partially related to its retardive action of certain toxins, or enzymes of S. aureus.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by United States Public Health Service, grant AI 06618, a grant in aid from Loyola University, United States Public Health Service, grant GRSG PRO 5368, and grants from Eli Lilly, Upjohn, Syntex, and G. D. Searle drug companies.