Oimomi found that Escherichia coli 443, E. coli 5 and Enterococcus 1294 produced an ether-extractable compound active against Candida, and applied this crude ether extract locally for treatment of nasal complications of the common cold and trichophytiasis of the feet, with the extract also inhibiting growth of staphylococci and streptococci. Purification of the active agent showed the main antimicrobial component in the extract was indole, which was confirmed by sublimation, comparison of infrared spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum and melting point with an authentic sample. Previous studies described the effect of indole on several fungi but there was no detailed report on its antimicrobial spectrum, so the authors examined indole's activity against various microorganisms (results in Table 1). Though indole's growth-inhibiting activity was not strong, it was found to have a wide antifungal spectrum and inhibit a few bacterial species. It is unknown if the pharmacological effect of the crude extract (preventing nasal secretion and relieving nasal obstruction) was due only to indole.