01660nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653001200059653001100071653001200082653000900094653002500103653001700128653001700145653001300162100001600175245004200191300001200233490001400245520115700259022001401416       1983                            d  c1983 Jul-Aug10aAnimals10aHumans10aleprosy10aMice10aMycobacterium leprae10aNasal Cavity10aNasal Mucosa10aRifampin1 aBullock W E00aRifampin in the treatment of leprosy.  aS606-130 v5 Suppl 33 a<p>The minimal inhibitory concentration of rifampin for Mycobacterium leprae is less than 1 microgram/ml. Therapy with rifampin has proved efficacious both in mice experimentally infected with M. leprae and in humans with leprosy. Rifampin kills M. leprae more rapidly than do other antileprosy drugs currently available. Consequently, M. leprae bacilli from patients with lepromatous disease are rendered noninfectious within three weeks after the institution of rifampin therapy, as determined in the mouse footpad test system. Administration of this antibiotic substantially reduces the quantities of M. leprae discharged in the nasal secretions of lepromatous patients within three weeks, thus rapidly decreasing the potential infectivity of these individuals. Intermittent rifampin therapy for leprosy has been successful, with a low incidence of adverse reactions to the drug. Worldwide, the prevalence of primary and secondary resistance of M. leprae to dapsone has increased markedly. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends a multidrug regimen that includes intermittent administration of rifampin for the treatment of leprosy.</p>  a0162-0886