Rifampin reduces production of reactive oxygen species of cerebrospinal fluid phagocytes and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in experimental Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

Bacterial compounds induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in meningitis. Rifampin releases smaller quantities of proinflammatory compounds from Streptococcus pneumoniae than do beta-lactam antibiotics. Therefore, rabbits infected intracisternally with S.