Reversal of drug resistance in Mycobacterium leprae by ampicillin/sulbactam.
The multiplication of Mycobacterium leprae in foot pads of experimentally-infected mice was suppressed by intramuscular administration of ampicillin combined with sulbactam or YTR-830H, two potent inhibitors of beta-lactamase in the bacteria. The antibiotic or the inhibitors by themselves were inactive. Ampicillin/sulbactam also inhibited the growth of drug-resistant M. leprae which grew in the presence of rifampin or dapsone. The finding provides a new approach to treat leprosy and to overcome drug resistance of the mycobacteria.
Prabhakaran
K
K
Biochemistry Department, Hansen's Disease Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70894.
Harris
E B
EB
Randhawa
B
B
Hastings
R C
RC
D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000494:pharmacology*
C035444:sultamicillin; D000667:Ampicillin; D013407:Sulbactam