Abstract
Phenyl-imidothiazole (PIT), an immunologic stimulant, was studied in newborn Wistar rats to evaluate its effectiveness in modifying infection induced by challenge with bacterial pathogens. PIT (0.03 mg in 0.03 ml of sterile H2O) or a placebo (0.03 ml sterile H2O) was given (s.c.) on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of life. On the 3d day of life Staphylococcus aureus (106CFU) or group A beta hemolytic streptococci (103CFU) was injected (s.c.) at a different site. Survival in animals pretreated with PIT challenged with Staphylococci was 41/45; it was only 3/59 in those with the placebo (P=<.001). Survival in animals pretreated with PIT and challenged with Streptococci was 11/12; and 2/13 in those that had received the placebo (P=<.005). 20 of 20 PIT controls survived. Delay in PIT administration until challenge on day 3 showed no protection (2/18). PIT was not effective in vitro. Nonpretreated animals died with cellulitis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue extending rapidly from the injection site. Pretreated animals thrived while developing a localized subcutaneous abscess which healed leaving a small scar at the injection site. Pretreatment with PIT obviously potentiates the primary inflammatory response providing protection against bacterial challenge in this newborn animal model. It may have some clinical application in management of patients at high risk to bacterial pathogens of this nature.
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Fischer, G., Oi, V., Ampaya, E. et al. ENHANCED HOST DEFENSE MECHANISM WITH PHENYL-IMIDOTHIOZOLE. Pediatr Res 8, 412 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00435
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00435
