In a startling discovery, scientists found a common topical antibiotic applied to mice before or shortly after infection with herpes and other viruses, triggered an antiviral resistance in the animals.

‘A startling discovery was made while investigating the effect of bacteria on viral infections. A common topical antibiotic applied to mice before or shortly after infection with herpes and other viruses triggered an antiviral resistance in the animals.’

The research team also confirmed neomycin's antiviral effect in mice infected with the flu and Zika viruses, said Smita Gopinath, the primary author of the study.




While the findings are notable, said researchers, the team is not promoting the use of topical antibiotics to treat viral infections in people. However, they said, their study deepens understanding of the antiviral effect of an antibiotic and could lead to the development of better antiviral medications.
Source-Eurekalert