The Effects of Erythromycin (Ilotycin, Lilly) against Certain Parasitic Organisms

Abstract

Summary Results of experimental studies with a new antibiotic, erythromycin (Ilotycin), tested against Endamoeba histolytica, Borrelia novyi, toxoplasma, oxyurid infections in mice and trypanosomiasis in mice, showed that: 1. In vitro, erythromycin, terramycin, and aureomycin demonstrated similar amebicidal activity against E. histolytica when bacterial associates were present, but in the absence of multiplying bacteria, erythromycin was least active, and when given orally to young rats infected with E. histolytica was found to be more effective per kilogram of body weight than terramycin or aureomycin. 2. Erythromycin was found to be effective against B. novyi infected mice when administered orally or parenterally. 3. Erythromycin fed in the diet of mice infected with oxyurids was found to reduce the worm burden significantly and to remove all Syphacia obvelata. 4. Erythromycin was found to have protective effect against toxoplasma in mice and in some mice prevented infection. 5. Erythromycin prevented death when given orally to mice infected with Trypanosoma equiperdum. No effect was observed against T. gambiense or T. cruzi, in vivo. Further investigations are necessary to determine whether erythromycin (Ilotycin) may be indicated in the treatment of amebiasis, spirochaetal infections, oxyuriasis, toxoplasmosis, and certain species of Trypanosoma infections.