Common Antibiotic May Stop AIDS Virus

Fusidin (fusidic acid), a cheap and readily available antibiotic marketed since 1962, has shown very promising results in early human tests for persons with AIDS. Two October 9 dispatches by Reuters, an international wire service, carried the story, which first appeared in a Danish newspaper.
About ten people in Denmark have received Fusidin for treatment of AIDS or ARC, and other tests are starting in
England. The news stories had only a sketchy report of results from one patient, who had taken Fusidin tablets three times a day for several months. He regained 10 kilograms of the 16 kilograms weight that he had lost, with no side effects. We do not know what dose was used.
Fusidin seems to work by preventing the virus from entering healthy cells. Scientists do not know whether it kills the virus or only suppresses it.
We checked medical files for non-AIDS uses of Fusidin, and for side effects. This antibiotic is used for many kinds of
infections. There seem to be few side effects of Fusidin given orally, although some patients develop jaundice which clears up when the medicine is stopped.
Unfortunately Fusidin is not marketed in the United States at this time. Apparently it is used in Canada, in Europe, and in many other countries.
Scientists studying Fusidin for AIDS/ARC include Professor Viggo Faber of the National Hospital in Copenhagen, and British virologist Angus Dalgleish of the Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, England. The manufacturer is Loevens Kemiske Fabrik, in Denmark. The British Medical Council will meet next week to consider how extensive the British trials should be.
We will continue to follow this important research. Let us know if you hear more about Fusidin.
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