The Penetration of Dapsone, Rifampicin, Isoniazid and Pyrazinamide Into Peripheral Nerves

Abstract

1Dapsone, rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide were shown to penetrate readily into the sciatic nerves of the dog and sheep. 2 These findings suggest that the continued persistence of viable drug-sensitive leprosy bacilli in the peripheral nerves of patients treated for long periods with either dapsone or rifampicin is not due to inadequate intraneural drug penetration.

Bactericidal Activity of Streptomycin, Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide Alone and In Combination Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis1

“…Experiments demonstrating that RMP was more effective than other antimicrobial agents in killing Staphylococcus aureus within polymorphonuclear leukocytes have been explained by assuming that RMP penetrates the cell more effectively (38). This explanation cannot account for differences between INH and RMP in vivo, because INH has been shown to be highly effective against intracellular tubercle bacilli (3) and penetrates the blood-brain (39) and other membrane barriers with ease (40). Inactivity of SM on organisms in cells (3,41) may, however, account for its failure as a sterilizing drug.…”

Comparison Between the Early Changes in Isoniazid Intoxication and the Chromatolytic Response to Nerve Ligation in Spinal Ganglion Cells of the Rat

“…Whether such changes are responsible for the axon degeneration or whether it could contribute to the later development of the axonal lesion, are matters only for speculation at the moment. There is adequate evidence that INH can readily enter peripheral nerves (Allen et al, 1975) and thus all parts of the nerve cell will be exposed to the possibility of interference with the metabolism of pyridoxal phosphate. Clearly, if the metabolism of the cell body was also involved, then there would be a diminished chance of the synthesis and transport of new co-factor for replacement along the axon, and presumably therefore of irreversible damage taking place distally (Schoental8z Cavanagh, 1977).…”

La chimiotherapie anti-hansénienne face a la névrite (orientations nouvelles)

“…1968) sur la souris. Allen, 1975, trouve une concentration analogue de RFP dans les nerfs (1,3 mcg/g chez le mouton, 4,4 chez le chien) pour un taux plasmatique 5 à 10 fois plus fort. Cela parait limiter son intérêt dans la névrite mais nous verrons plus loin un accommodement.…”