CLINICAL-TRIAL OF FUSIDIC ACID FOR LEPROMATOUS LEPROSY

Fusidic acid was assessed for antileprosy activity in nine lepromatous leprosy patients. Patients received fusidic acid at either 500 mg/day for 12 weeks or 750 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by 500 mg/day for 8 w eeks. All patients showed time-dependent clinical improvement and decr eases in bacillary morphological index, radiorespirometric activity an d PCR signal, and in serum phenolic glycolipid I. Fusidic acid appears to be a weakly bactericidal antileprosy agent which may have a role i n the multidrug treatment of leprosy pending an evaluation of lepra-re action-suppressive activity.