Metronidazole plus rifampin sterilizes long-term dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Iona E, Giannoni F, Pardini M, Brunori L, Orefici G, Fattorini L.
Long-term nonreplicating (dormant) Mycobacterium tuberculosis populations (26-day-old cells) were sterilized by metronidazole plus rifampin, but not by metronidazole or rifampin alone, after 7 and 11 days of exposure to the drugs. Lower or no drug activity was observed against 19- or 12-day-old dormant or 5-day-old actively replicating populations.