Treatment of Bacillary Dysentery with Nalidixic Acid

Abstract

Nalidixic Acid (Win 18, 320) is a new naphthyridine derivative synthesized by Lesher at the Sterling-Winthrop Research Institute. In general, Nalidixic Acid possesses more potent bacteriostatic activity against Gram-negative than against Gram -positive pathogens.
Nalidixic Acid was applied to 36 patients of bacillary dysentery for the purpose of in-vestigating its anti-Shigella activity, clinical effectiveness and the increase of resistance through successive in vitro cultures.
1. The sensitivity of dysentery bacilli against Nalidixc Acid ranged from 3.1mcg/ml to 6.2mcg/ml, and this bacteriostatic effect was same both in 3-drugs (Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol)-sensible strains and 3-drugs-resistant strains.
2. Nalidixic Acid was effective in doses of 40mg/kg/day for five days.
3. By the treatment with Nalidixic Acid the recovery of the stools in number and character was reached within 2-3 days and Shigella excretion subsided also within 2-3 days.
4. Rate of reappearance of Shigella bacilli in the stool after the treatment was 8.4%.
5. Generally it was demonstrated that clinical effect of Nalidixic Acid in severe cases of bacillary dysentery was almost equal to those of Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol.
6. The increase of resistant in vitro experiment against Nalidixic Acid was inhibited only when this agent had been combined with Zygomycin.
7. Signs or symptoms which might be regarded as side effects could not be noted in any of our cases.