The Clinical and Experimental Use of Sulfanilamide, Sulfapyridine and Allied Compounds

The Mode of Action of the Sulfonamides

“…Dilution of cultures with water, physiological saline solution, or buffer solutions either kills or injures some cells (181). This probably explains the observation that increasing the sodium chloride concentration of the medium results in increased sulfonamide action (160,193). This is presumably another example of supplementation of adverse influences on the bacterial cell.…”

“…Critical data on this particular problem are very scanty and conflicting. Long and Bliss (160) claimed that the effect of SA is less on young cultures than on old ones. On the other hand, MacLeod and Mirick (18) reported that, as is seen with various unfavorable agents such as bacteriophage, water, etc., older cells are more resistant to sulfonamides.…”

“…It is known that sulfonamide action is greater the poorer the nutritional environment of the organisms (77,83,193). On the other hand, it must be emphasized that the mere possession of growthstimulatory properties does not mean that a substance will antagonize sulfonamide action (91,160,165,181,205).' In fact, one compound, asparagine, has been found to enhance sulfonamide activity in spite of the fact that in the absence of sulfonamide it is a growth-stimulant (233).…”

“…As a matter of fact there is some evidence suggesting that the host's tissues are in a state of basal anesthesia while on sulfonamide therapy, e.g., the effects of narcotics and anesthetics are potentiated by sulfonamide therapy (26). That sulfonamide therapy produces a slight sedative action in which alertness and judgment are impaired is a well-known clinical fact (160). For example, aviators are being grounded while receiving such treatment.…”

“…Most of the work leading to these views occurred early in sulfonamide research, and therefore the reader can refer to earlier reviews(160,193) for complete discussions and references.…”