Comparison of concentrations of rifampin and a new rifamycin derivative, DL 473, in canine bone.

Constant-infusion experiments were performed in 14 dogs to determine the penetration into bone of rifampin and a new C-3 substituted rifamycin, DL 473. The drugs were assayed in cortical bone and medulla from tibia-femur and cortical and cancellous bone from rib. After identical dosage, the concentrations of DL 473 appeared to be higher, except in the medulla, although the serum concentrations of rifampin were almost twice as high as those for DL 473. The concentrations of both drugs in all bone areas were several times higher than their minimum inhibitory concentrations against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.