%A Gelber1,3 RH %A Siu P %A Tsang M %A Richard V %A Chehl SK %A Murray LP %T Activity of combinations of dapsone, rifampin, minocycline, clarithromycin, and sparfloxacin against M. leprae-infected mice %0 Journal Article %D 1995 %J International Journal of Leprosy and other Mycobacterial Diseases %P 0148-916X %V 63 %N 2 %X 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 twoand 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 "partially bactericidal" and 4 being "fully bactericidal." Of the 10 three-drug regimens, 9 were found "fully bactericidal" and the other "partially bactericidal." We conclude that combinations of antibiotics active against M. leprae are generally additive in combination.