title: Effect of rifabutin on disseminated Mycobacterium avium infections in thymectomized, CD4 T-cell-deficient mice.
abstract: Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection is the major cause of bacteremia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We present here a new animal model of this disease, thymectomized C57BL/6 mice that were intravenously infused with monoclonal antibody to selectively deplete CD4+ T cells. The increased susceptibility of such animals to M. avium infection is comparable to that of C57BL/6 beige mice and thus may provide a viable alternative to the latter model. Further, using representative strains of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated M. avium (serotypes 1, 4, and 8 and a rough isolate), we show that the course of such infections in thymectomized, CD4-deficient mice can be markedly restrained and in some cases the infections can be sterilized by treatment over a 120-day period with a regimen containing 40 mg of the new antimycobacterial agent rifabutin per kg (body weight).
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Furney
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Orme
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000502:physiology*; D017828:Rifabutin; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013934:Thymectomy; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D012294:Rifamycins; D017828:Rifabutin