[Effect of euphylline and caffeine on the permeability of the hemato-encephalic barrier for benzylpenicillin in experimental and clinical meningococcal meningitis].

Higher benzylpenicillin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and soft brain membranes were determined in experiments on a model of meningococcal meningitis of rabbits and in clinics in patients with meningococcal meningits subjected to combined treatment with massive doses of the antibiotic and the therapeutic doses of euphylline or caffeine. Benzylpenicillin excretion with urine and the antibiotic blood levels did not significantly change under the action of the diuretics. The phenomenon must be due to the vasolidative effect of the drugs of the purine group, improved blood supply of the soft brain membranes and increased permeability of the hemato-encephalic barrier for benzylpenicillin.