Chemotherapy of murine leprosy. III. The effects of nicotinamide and pyrazinamide (aldinamide) on mouse leprosy.

Nicotinamide has been found to possess a marked suppressive activity in experimental tuberculosis and , in murine leprosy. The antituberculosis activity of its isomeric derivatives, the isonicotinylhydrazines, has been extensively studied in recent years, both experimentally and in the clinic. Clinical trials of the original compound, nicotinamide, have been limited but favorable results have been reported in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis by Huant (35,36), Tanner (61), Radenback (55 ) and Lehmann ( 41). Large amounts may be given orally or parenterally for long periods of time without evidence of toxicity (38,41). There have been many laboratory studies of nicotinamide and its allied compounds in the past 15 years. A review of the principal results, especially as they relate to mycobacterial infections, is given here.