In vivo susceptibility of Mycobacterium leprae to ofloxacin either singly or in combination with rifampicin and rifabutin. Anti-leprosy activity of ofloxacin and ansamycins in mice.
The antimicrobial effects of ofloxacin against Mycobacterium leprae, either alone or in combination with rifampicin and rifabutin, were studied using mouse foot pad assay technique. When used singly, the minimum concentrations of the drugs needed to completely inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium leprae in foot pads of mice were 50 mg/kg body weight for ofloxacin and 0.003% and 0.0001%, respectively, for rifampicin and rifabutin. However, excellent synergistic effects were observed when mice were fed with 25 mg/kg body weight of ofloxacin along with 0.00003% rifabutin, but not rifampicin. Thus, incorporation of ofloxacin and rifabutin in the multiple drug therapy of leprosy patients is suggested.
Florida Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Sciences, Melbourne.
A M
AM
Dhople
M A
MA
Ibanez
D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000382:microbiology; D007917:Leprostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017828:Rifabutin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007917:Leprostatic Agents; D017828:Rifabutin; D015242:Ofloxacin; D012293:Rifampin