RESUMEN
Levamisole, an antihelminthic drug that is capable of enhancing immune responses in mice and in humans, was tested in experimental Mycobacterium leprae infections in mice by a number of schedules. Intermittent schedules were used, and administration of the drug was started (i) around the time of inoculation with M. leprae, (ii) when the M. leprae population was approaching the plateau level, (iii) after the onset of the plateau phase, or (iv) after BCG vaccination 28 days following the inoculation with M. leprae. No effect of drug could be discerned with any of the schedules.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Ratones , Administración Oral , Lepra/inmunología , Inyecciones Subcutáneas , Levamisol/administración & dosificación , Levamisol/farmacología , Mycobacterium leprae , Mycobacterium leprae/crecimiento & desarrollo , Vacuna BCGRESUMEN
The Memorandum reviews the considerable progress that has been made in research on the chemotherapy of leprosy during the last 10-15 years, as a result of which it is now possible to study the same topics in leprosy as are studied in other bacterial diseases. Thus drugs have been screened in mice for their activity against Mycobacteerium leprae. Those that have been found to have the greatest activity against M. leprae at acceptable dosages-dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine-have been characterized in terms of the minimal effective dosage and rate of bacterial kill. Similarly, their pharmacokinetics in man and in certain animals have been defined. The theoretical basis for drug trials in leprosy patients is discussed in terms of the number of viable and the number of dead M.leprae that remain of various stages of therapy
Asunto(s)
Leprostáticos/administración & dosificación , Leprostáticos/clasificación , Leprostáticos/farmacocinética , Leprostáticos/farmacología , Leprostáticos/metabolismo , Lepra/clasificación , Lepra/tratamiento farmacológico , Quimioterapia CombinadaRESUMEN
1- A procedure is described for the recovery of acid-fast bacilli from the nasal passages of patients with leprosy, and their enumeration. 2- Counts of 10 (elevado a quatro) to 10 (elevado a sete) bacilli were frquently observed in patients with untreated lepromatous leprosy. The highest counts were observed in patients with advance lepromatous disease with nasal ulcers and long histories of nasal obstruction and bleeding. 3- The counts were not affected by daily washings for 4 days, and presumably represent minimal estimates of daily excretion. 4- The higher counts were observed to have decreased markedly after 3 to 4 months of sulfone therapy. 5- Inoculation of the organisms into the foot pads of mice has resulted in the appearance of progressive granulomas containing acid-fast bacilli in numbers that appear to increase. This has been observed in each of 6 instances in which the inoculum has contained large numbers of acid-fast bacilli and after inoculation periods of 3 to 12 months, depending on the numbers of organisms. Third passage has been sucessful in one instance, and second passage in another instance. Reasons are given for not regarding this as proof at this time that acid-fast bacilli have multiplied in the tissues of the mouse