Fig 3. Multi-dose PEP regimens control bacterial growth.

Athymic nude mice were infected in both hind footpads with 6 x10³ M. leprae. Mice were treated with three once-monthly doses of rifampin/moxifloxacin (RM), rifampin/clarithromycin (RC), rifapentine/moxifloxacin (PM), or rifapentine/clarithromycin (PC). M. leprae were enumerated one, three, six, and nine months post treatment completion. Bars represent the mean for each group. A regression analysis was calculated to determine the expected RLEP value if 99.9% of the bacilli were killed after the administration of the three dose regimen (r² = 0.998). The 99.9% kill line at 3 months was 1.51 x 10³ bacilli, and the 99.9% kill line at 9 months was 1.16 x 10⁷ bacilli.