Clindamycin concentrations in the central nervous system of primates before and after head trauma.

The authors measured levels of clindamycin, a drug well established as useful in the treatment of various soft-tissue and parenchymal bacterial infections, in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue of 14 rhesus monkeys. Penetration into brain tissue was erratic and concentrations detected were not significant. Cerebrospinal fluid levels, however, averaged 20.5% of paired serum concentrations and were higher than concentrations needed to inhibit most Gram-positive bacteria. Further studies in humans are indicated before this antibiotic may be used routinely.