ANTIBIOTIC PRODUCTS OF A VERSATILE FUNGUS

Abstract

A description is given of the antibiotics produced by a Cephalosporium isolated by Professor Brotzu in Sardinia. The antibiotics fall into 2 groups, those of one being soluble in common organic solvents, whereas those of the other are not. Substances in the first group were named cephalosporin P, consisting of a main component P1 and similar but distinct components P2, P3, P4 and P5. Cephalosporin P1 has weak chemotherapeutic action against staphylococcal infection in mice. The second group contains a new type of penicillin (penicillin N) and a substance possibly related to penicillin, called cephalosporin C. Cephalosporin N (penicillin N) is now found to be identical with synnematin B. Cephalosporin C is possibly related to the penicillins but a number of its properties differentiate it sharply from them. It is equally active against penicillin-resistant and penicillin-sensitive staphylococci. Although it is not powerfully antibacterial, its very low toxicity to mice has permitted chemotherapeutic activity against Streptococcus pyogenes infection in this animal.