ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS

摘要

This invention provides methods for treating a mycobacterial infection by administering to an animal a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound having the formula R-SOn-Z-CO-Y, where R is an alkyl group having 6-20 carbons; Z is a radical selected from -CH2-, -O-, and -NH-, two of these radicals coupled together, or -CH2=CH2-; Y is -NH2, O-CH2-C6H5, -CO-CO-O-CH3, or O-CH3; and n is 1 or 2. It has been discovered that these compounds inhibit growth of microbial cells which synthesize .alpha.-substitued, .beta.-hydroxy fatty acids, particularly corynemycolic acid, nocardic acid, and mycolic acid. These compounds may be used to inhibit growth of mycobacterial cells, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug-resistant M. tuberculosis, M. avium intracellulare, and M. leprae.