INTRACUTANEOUS INJECTION OF ACIDOMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF LEPROSY

Abstract

The therapeutic results of intracutaneous injection of Acidomycin in leprosy has been reported previously (La Lepro, Vol. 24, No. 3, June 1955, Internat. J. Leprosy, Vol. 23, No. 2, 1955). Treatment with this agent, has been continued at various institutions, for various lengths of time, 3-6 months at the shortest, 4 years at the longest, and the results are presented here.
The total number of cases treated was 129, including 88 cases of lepromatous leprosy and 41 cases of macular leprosy (some neural type included). The greatest effect was observed in the macular type, the majority of those responding be longing to this group, while only a few of the lepromatous type showed a response. It is noteworthy that improvement in the sensory disturbance and lessening of the neural thickening took place with long-term treatment.
The mechanism of action of this agent has not been adequately clarified but from the findings that intramuscular injection of Acidomycin has no effect and intracutaneous injections of streptomycin and INAH are ineffective it is suggested that Acidomycin acts specifically on the host tissue rather than acting as a typical chemotherapeutic directly on the leprosy bacilli.