Tennecetin

In 1959 successful testing at medical centers in all sections of the country confirmed that Tennecetin, an antibiotic discovered by two UT scientists, is capable of treating effectively most fungus diseases. Dr. Frank Holtman, head of the Bacteriology Department, and James Burns, a graduate student working on his doctorate, developed the antibiotic from a Tennessee soil microorganism designated S. Chattanoogensis, any strain of which is capable of producing Tennecetin. The scientists were looking for an antibiotic that would be more effective against tuberculosis than drugs then in use and discovered Tennecetin by accident. It was first proven effective against favus, a scalp infection often causing baldness, and other fungus infections. The antibiotic proved effective against certain fungus diseases in man, plants, and animals.