Effect of Chloromycetin on Experimental Infection with Psittacosis and Lymphogranuloma Venereum Viruses

Abstract

Chloromycetin has been reported to be active vs. exptl. rickettsial infections. Growth in embryonated eggs of strains of psittacosis virus of plgeon or psittacine origin and of lymphogranuloma venereum virus is reduced by treatment with chloromycetin. Admn. of the drug 48 hrs. after the infection is almost as effective in prolonging the life of embryos as the prophylactic treatment. Doses of 0.0625 mg. per egg produce a distinct prolongation of life in infected eggs. Furthermore, the length of survival is directly proportional to the dose of drug over the range of 0.0625-0.5 mg. per egg. Mice infected intraperit. with the 6-BC strain of psittacosis survive 80 MLD when given 0.75-2.5 mg. of drug per day either by mouth or intraperit. Treatment is effective in mice when delayed for 6 days after infection, i.e., several days before death would be expected to occur. Mice infected by the intracerebral route with psittacosis or lymphogranuloma venereum viruses are benefited little if at all by treatment with chloromycetin adm. either by mouth or intraperit. The action of chloromycetin is virus-tatic rather than virucidal.