Destomycin A is an aminoglycoside antibiotic and is reported to have antibacterial and anthelmintic activity. It has an antibacterial effect on Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The mode of action of destomycin A is the inhibition of polypeptide synthesis in cells of Escherichia coli and stimulation of adenylate cyclase in several animal tissues. Destomycin A is added to feed for pigs and chickens to prevent parasitic infection of Ascaris suum (the mechanism of action involves inhibition of vitelline coat formation of the parasite eggs.)