SULFATHIAZOLE FOR TREATMENT OF STAPHYLOCOCCIC MENINGITIS

Sulfathiazole (2-[paraaminobenzenesulfonamido]-thiazole), the newest of the sulfanilamide group of drugs, is ready to take its place in the armamentarium of chemotherapy. Sulfathiazole therapy has progressed so rapidly since the release of the drug that the literature associated with it is poorly organized. Our interest in the drug was stimulated by what impressed us as an almost unbelievable therapeutic result in what we had feared was an incurable condition. The report of this case follows. We feel that a preliminary review of the literature concerning sulfathiazole is worth while at this time. Sulfathiazole is the thiazole analogue of sulfapyridine (2-[paraaminobenzenesulfonamido]-pyridine) and was first reported by Forsbinder and Walter1and by Lott and Bergeim.2These authors described the methods of preparation and their experiments with these drugs against streptococcic and pneumococcic infections in mice. The original work on the physical and chemical characteristics of sulfathiazole and its salt was done at that