Although comparatively good clinical results have been obtained in the treatment of fungal disases using antifungal drugs containing fatty acids, mercuric compounds and antibiotics such as aureothricin and trichomycin, still better drugs are expected. The present paper deals with experimental and clinical results of a new antibiotic, variotin, produced by Paecilomyces varioti Bainier var. antibioticus.

Variotin is white or yellowish liquid having ester-like odor. It is unstable and disintegrates gradually, but is stabilized when it is dissolved in organic solvent avoiding the contamination with heavy metals added with etylene diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). It is reported that the toxicity is extremely low. Mouse survived intraperitoneal injection of 320,000u/kg.