title: Cerebrospinal fluid penicillin levels during therapy for latent syphilis.
abstract: Cerebrospinal fluid and serum penicillin levels were determined in patients with latent syphilis. Mean serum concentration one week after the third weekly dose of 2.4 million units penicillin G benzathine was 0.32 units/mL. Concurrent administration of probenecid orally produced a mean serum penicillin level of 0.41 units/mL. Doubled penicillin doses without and with daily orally administered probenecid resulted in mean serum concentrations of 0.75 and 1.00 units/mL, respectively. Two of six patients in the last group had CSF penicillin concentrations greater than 0.03 units/mL.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011339:Probenecid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D013592:Syphilis, Latent / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D011339:Probenecid; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine