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In vitro testing of clarithromycin in combination with ethambutol and rifampicin against mycobacterium avium complex

Wirksamkeit von Clarithromycin in Kombination mit Ethambutol und Rifampicin gegen Mycobacterium avium-Komplex basierend auf Invitro-Untersuchungen

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Summary

The activity of clarithromycin in combination with ethambutol and rifampicin was tested at concentrations achievable in serum against 20 strains ofMycobacterium avium complex. The combination of clarithromycin plus rifampicin showed inhibition of 11 of the strains and bactericidal synergism against seven of the strains. When ethambutol was added, a bactericidal effect was observed against 16 strains. On the basis of thesein vitro data it seems that clarithromycin in combination with rifampicin and ethambutol may be a promising drug for the effective treatment of infections caused byM. avium complex.

Zusammenfassung

DieIn-vitro-Aktivität von Clarithromycin in Kombination mit Ethambutol und Rifampicin wurde in Serum erreichbaren Konzentrationen gegen 20 Stämme desMycobacterium avium-Komplex getestet. Die Kombination Clarithromycin und Rifampicin zeigte einen bakteriostatischen Effekt bei 11 und einen bakteriziden Effekt bei sieben der Stämme. Durch Zugabe von Ethambutol wurde eine bakterizide Wirkung bei 16 Stämmen erreicht. Wir glauben auf Grund dieserIn-vitro-Daten, daß Clarithromycin in Kombination mit Rifampicin und Ethambutol in der Behandlung von Infektionen mitM. avium-Komplex ein vielversprechendes Chemotherapeutikum ist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Public Health Laboratory, Währingerstr. 25A, A-1096, Vienna, Austria

    F. Stauffer,  O. Dörtbudak & E. Lahonik

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  1. F. Stauffer
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  2. O. Dörtbudak
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  3. E. Lahonik
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Stauffer, F., Dörtbudak, O. & Lahonik, E. In vitro testing of clarithromycin in combination with ethambutol and rifampicin against mycobacterium avium complex. Infection 19, 343–345 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645362

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645362

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