Experimental studies (in vitro) on polyene macrolide antibiotics with special reference to hamycin against Malassezia ovale.

Hamycin activity (in vitro) against Malassezia ovale was studied and compared with old and newly discovered polyene antifungal antibiotics. Hamycin showed a marked anti-M. ovale activity which was enhanced in the presence of divalent cations like Cu++ and Zn++. Furthermore, the absorption of hamycin onto the cell membrane or cell surface of M. ovale was also increased in the presence of divalent cations. It is suggested that hamycin alone or along with metal ions, specifically Cu++ may be useful clinically in the treatment of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.