ISONIAZID THERAPY IN THE CHIMPANZEE

Three chimpanzees were diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis (diagnosis based upon PPD test and chest X-rays). Two of the animals were necropsied and diagnosis confirmed. The remaining TB positive chimpanzee was housed with three chimpanzees which had shown a negative reaction to the tuberculin test. All subjects were put on an initial dose of 10 mg/kg body weight of isoniazid per day. The following experiment, consisting of four major objectives, was designed: (1) to evaluate the use of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) as a single agent against tuberculosis, (2) to determine the effective therapeutic and/or prophylactic dose and level of INH, (3) to determine the rate of inactivation of INH in the chimpanzee, and (4) to determine the toxic level of INH in the chimpanzee. The single TB positive chimpanzee remained on 10 mg/kg body weight of INH per day while the others were given varying doses to determine toxicity levels and inactivation times. The experiment ran 1 year during which time all subjects were TB tested (PPD, KOT, intrapalpebral) and chest X-rays were taken monthly. At the end of the time period, all subjects were subjected to necropsy to verify findings. (Author)