BIOLOGICAL STUDIES WITH ROSAMICIN, A NEW MICROMONOSPORA-PROVUCED MACROLIDE ANTIBIOTIC

Abstract

Rosamicin is a new Micromonospora-produced macrolide antibiotic with activity equal to or superior to erythromycin and megalomicin A against grampositive bacteria and improved activity against gram-negative bacteria. Rosamicin is highly active against a variety of Mycoplasma and anaerobe species. Some erythromycin-resistant, megalomicin A-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus are sensitive to rosamicin confirming a lack of complete cross resistance. Rosamicin, megalomicin A and erythromycin have comparable in vivo activity on the basis of mouse protection tests.