Fusidic acid non-antibacterial activity

In 1978 the first report was published indicating that fusidic acid had an immunomodulatory effect. This study describing an in vitro effect on white cells was followed by an in vivo study showing improved survival in heart t ransplanted mice. In 1990 these immunomodulatory effects were shown to be r elated to suppression of cytokine production in animal models of septic sho ck and insulin dependent diabetes. Disease modulation has been investigated in a number of immunologically mediated diseases, HIV infection, Behcet's disease, Crohn's disease, uveitis and scleroderma. However whether fusidic acid has any useful function as an immunomodulating agent has yet to be ful ly explored. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V, and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.