Effects of griseofulvin in experimental rabbit syphilis.

We have previously reported the effects of some antibiotics on experimental rabbit syphilis (Fujita, Asada, and Amawashi, 1962). The recent resurgence of infectious syphilis has led us to look for more effective anti-luetic agents. From this point of view we are studying the ultrastructure of spirochaetes (Hasegawa, Sasahira, and Matsuura, 1965; Hasegawa and Sasahira, 1965; Hasegawa, Komura, and Sasahira, 1966). Griseofulvin is an antifungal antibiotic produced by Penicillium griseofulvum, and is widely used in the therapy of superficial fungal dermatoses. Its origin, like penicillin from a mould of the Penicillium group, made it of interest to determine whether griseofulvin is also effective against spirochaetes. Its effect on spirochaetes was first reported by Meinicke (1961a), who found that griseofulvin had no treponemistatic effect against Reiter spirochaetes. Meinicke (1961b) also reported that griseofulvin had no effect on experimental syphilis in the rabbit. Brodey (1962) reported that the clinical picture of patients with secondary syphilis who were given Griseofulvin was somewhat improved. He asserted that no one knew its effect on secondary syphilis, and that its effect on syphilis should be studied. From some of these results, it became important to try the application of Griseofulvin in secondary syphilis, and we therefore used it in the treatment of two such cases.