A clinical evaluation

TLDR

Demethylchlortetracycline, a new tetracycline antibiotic, was clinically evaluated in 59 Veterans Administration patients with lower respiratory, urinary, or skin infections, but its efficacy assessment was complicated by its similarity to existing tetracyclines and the patients’ comorbidities that influence treatment outcomes. The drug performed comparably to other tetracyclines, yielding favorable responses when the isolated organism was in vitro sensitive, yet doses above 600 mg produced significant gastrointestinal upset and raised concerns about renal and hepatic function.

Abstract

Demethylchlortetracycline, a recently available member of the tetracycline group of antibiotics, has been evaluated clinically in 59 patients seen in a Veterans Administration Hospital with infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, or skin. The drug appeared to be comparable to other tetracyclines, and if the isolated etiologic organism was sensitive to DMCT in vitro, patients generally responded favorably. The study illustrated the great difficulty facing the physician who attempts to evaluate a new antimicrobial drug which closely resembles other good drugs. A ma;ority of patients with infection suffered from underlying illnesses which predisposed them to infection or modified the infectious process through alteration of anatomic or physiologic host conditions. In this complex situation, the suppression of microbial growth‐the sole effect of an antibiotic‐contributes only to a variable and unpredictable extent to the relief of symptoms and signs of infection. Among undesirable effects of oral DMCT administration were prominent gastrointestinal upsets with doses in excess of 600 mg. daily and a suggestion of renal and hepatic function impairment, which requires further study.