A re-appraisal of the conventional history of antibiosis and Penicillin

Mycoses. 2017 May;60(5):343-347. doi: 10.1111/myc.12599. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

The popular perception of the history of antibiosis and penicillin is that Alexander Fleming was the sole researcher on penicillin. The literature, however, has documentation of preceding persons who reported definitively on these topics, from the late 19th century. Divergent reports on "firsts" in the discovery of antimicrobial activity of Penicillium and on the use of penicillin as a therapeutic agent, are present. This review adds knowledge from diverse sources, and restores historical priorities to the conventional story of Penicillin.

Keywords: antibiosis; history; penicillin.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / history*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibiosis*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Bacterial Infections / history
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Penicillins / history*
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Penicillium / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillins