title: Development of effective drug combinations for the inhibition of multiply resistant mycobacteria, especially of the Mycobacterium avium complex.
abstract: Rationally designed combinations of rifampicin (RAMP) and thiacetazone plus isonicotinic acid hydrazide and/or ethambutol are highly effective in the treatment of patients (including HIV-positive) infected with multiply resistant mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Clinical results are very promising. The high efficacy of these combinations is due to the synergistic potentiation of single-drug activities. As soon as rifabutin is marketed, it should replace RAMP in the combination treatment of patients with highly RAMP-resistant MAC bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Borstel Research Institute, FRG.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Seydel
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Schaper
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rüsch-Gerdes
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000187:drug effects*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013828:Thioacetazone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004977:Ethambutol; D013828:Thioacetazone; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin