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In vivo and in vitro Suppression of Humoral and Cellular Immunological Response by Rifampicin

Nature volume 228, pages 1188–1190 (1970)Cite this article

Abstract

RIFAMPICIN—3 - (4 - methyl - l -piperazyl - iminomethyl) -rifamycin SV—a semi-synthetic derivative of rifamycin which was isolated from Streptomyces mediterraneus1, is a clinically useful, orally active antibiotic. Even at low concentrations (0.5–5 µg/ml.), it is known to inhibit microbial growth by blocking cellular DNA-directed RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6)2,3. Although similar inhibition of RNA synthesis does not occur in mammalian cell-free systems unless large amounts of rifampicin (200 µg/ml.) are used4, concentrations exceeding 10 µg of rifampicin/ml. medium cause detectable damage in the case of monolayer cultures of BHK21 C 13 cells5.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunochemistry and Radioisotopes, Tuberculosis Research Institute, Sos. Viilor 90, Bucharest, 28

    E. PǍUNESCU

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  1. E. PǍUNESCU
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PǍUNESCU, E. In vivo and in vitro Suppression of Humoral and Cellular Immunological Response by Rifampicin. Nature 228, 1188–1190 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/2281188a0

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