RESUMO
In these studies we evaluated the activity of low levels of five antimicrobials against Mycobacterium leprae-infected mice when administered singly and in all possible two- and three-drug combinations. Antibiotics studied were: dapsone (D) 0.0001% in the diet, rifampin (R) 20 mg/kg by gavage once monthly, minocycline (M) 0.004% in the diet, clarithromycin (C) 0.001% in the diet, and sparfloxacin (S) 5 mg/kg by gavage five times weekly. Singly each agent was found bacteriostatic (D + R) or partially bactericidal (M, C, and S) but not fully bactericidal. All 10 two-drug regimens were found at least bacteriostatic, 2 being [quot ]partially bactericidal[quot ] and 4 being [quot ]fully bactericidal.[quot ] Of the 10 three-drug regimens, 9 were found [quot ]fully bactericidal[quot ] and the other [quot ]partially bactericidal.[quot ] We conclude that combinations of antibiotics active against M. leprae are generally additive in combination