Use of Sulphanilamide (Para Amino Benzene Sulphonamide) in Experimental Poliomyelitis. ∗

Abstract

The effectiveness of sulphanilamide (para amino benzene sulphonamide) in the treatment of certain bacterial infections 1 suggested its trial in the treatment of a virus infection, experimental poliomyelitis. Though no reports of the use of sulphanilamide in any virus diseases have appeared, Long 2 has observed no improvement of concurrent common colds in patients receiving the drug for various streptococcal infections. Marshall and his associates 3 have shown that sulphanilamide diffuses readily through the tissues of the body, and into the cerebrospinal fluid, where it reaches a level slightly lower than that of the blood stream. Two bacterial infections of the meninges, Beta hemolytic streptococcal meningitis 4 and menin-gococcal meningitis 5 have responded well to sulphanilamide therapy.

Two series of Macacus rhesus monkeys were used in these experiments. The first 4 monkeys were inoculated by the intranasal route with 0.5 cc. of 20% fresh virus cord suspension in each nostril on 2 successive days; two of these monkeys received subcutaneous injections of 50 cc. of a 1% saline solution of sulphanilamide‡ (an amount equal proportionately to twice the maximal therapeutic human dose) twice daily, begun 3-4 hours prior to the first inoculation of the virus suspension; two were used as controls. In the second group, 6 monkeys received one cc. each of 15% virus cord suspension in each nostril on 2 successive days; 4 were given sulphanilamide as above, while 2 control animals received 50 cc. of normal saline subcutaneously twice daily. Tables I and II show the course of these monkeys.

It is seen that in the 2 series of experiments 2 monkeys survived, one treated animal, after transient paralysis, and a control animal showing marked, but very gradually diminishing, paralysis. Such survivals are not uncommon in untreated animals following inoculation by the intranasal route.