Enhancement of Penetration of Penicillin into Inflamed and Normal Mucous Membrane by Hyaluronidase.

Summary

The instillation of 200,000 units of crystalline penicillin G into We diseased and normal paranasal antrum is well tolerated and except for the development of an allergic reaction in one patient, was without any adverse effect. In 24 out of 26 patients with chronic suppurative disease of the sinuses and in all 5 normal subjects, a significant penicillin level in the blood was found after the intra-antral instillation.

In both groups, the addition of hyaluronidase to the instilled penicillin resulted in even higher blood levels than those found without its use, with one exception. In two patients in whom no blood level could be demonstrated, the addition of hyaluronidase resulted in a significant concentration of penicillin in the blood. It is postulated that the increased blood penicillin level following hyaluronidase is due to greater diffusion and penetration of the penicillin as a result of the spreading action of hyaluronidase.