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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, September 2008, p. 3113-3117, Vol. 52, No. 9
0066-4804/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/AAC.01162-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Powerful Bactericidal Activity of Moxifloxacin in Human Leprosy

Leonard Wood Memorial Center for Leprosy Research, Cebu, Philippines

Received 3 September 2007/ Returned for modification 1 October 2007/ Accepted 9 June 2008

In a clinical trial of moxifloxacin in eight multibacillary leprosy patients, moxifloxacin proved highly effective. In all trial patients, a single 400-mg dose of moxifloxacin resulted in significant killing (P 0.006) of Mycobacterium leprae, ranging from 82% to 99%, with a mean of 91%. In all instances, no viable bacilli were detected with an additional 3 weeks of daily therapy, this observed rapid bactericidal activity being matched previously only by rifampin. On moxifloxacin therapy, skin lesions cleared exceedingly rapidly with definite improvement observed consistently after eight doses and progressive resolution continuing for the 56 days of the trial. Side effects, toxicities, and laboratory abnormalities were mild, not requiring discontinuation of therapy.

Published ahead of print on 23 June 2008.