Activity of inosine analogs against Pneumocystis carinii in culture

Three analogs of inosine, formycin B, allopurinol ribonucleoside, and 9-deazainosine, were tested for their ability to suppress proliferation of Pneumocystis carinii in culture with WI-38 cells. The organism was inhibited by 9-deazainosine at 10 micrograms/ml, and there was some inhibition at 1 microgram/ml. Formycin B was effective only at 40 micrograms/ml. Allopurinol ribonucleoside had little effect.