AUREOMYCIN: A NEW ANTIBIOTIC WITH VIRUCIDAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

As a result of a comprehensive screening program at the Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Company, a substance has been obtained from a Streptomyces which gave promise of possessing unusual antibiotic properties. The antibiotic has been named aureomycin, and a statement regarding its specific properties and chemical purification will be published elsewhere.¹Of special interest to us was the striking spectrum of activity exhibited by this antibiotic against many rickettsiae and certain viruses.²In particular, it was noted that aureomycin was highly effective in the treatment of mice infected intracerebrally with the virus of lymphogranuloma venereum. In view of the information made available to us concerning the unusual therapeutic range of aureomycin, it seemed desirable to use this antibiotic in human beings suffering from lymphogranuloma venereum. An added incentive to the study was the realization that effective treatment has not been available for this disease. Although claims have