Bedaquiline Activity against Leprosy

 This correspondence reports findings from the BDQ4LEP open-label clinical trial in Mali, which evaluated the bactericidal activity of bedaquiline, an antituberculosis agent, in 30 patients with multibacillary leprosy. Patients received bedaquiline for 8 weeks before transitioning to standard multidrug therapy for one year, with an additional year of follow-up. Results showed significant reductions in bacterial load and molecular biomarkers of Mycobacterium leprae viability—including DNA and mRNA levels—between baseline and day 56. Culture-based viability in mouse footpads also dropped sharply, with 96% of day-56 biopsies testing negative. No relapses occurred within the study period. These findings highlight bedaquiline’s potent anti-leprosy activity and support further investigation of its role in shortening treatment regimens.

 This correspondence reports findings from the BDQ4LEP open-label clinical trial in Mali, which evaluated the bactericidal activity of bedaquiline, an antituberculosis agent, in 30 patients with multibacillary leprosy. Patients received bedaquiline for 8 weeks before transitioning to standard multidrug therapy for one year, with an additional year of follow-up. Results showed significant reductions in bacterial load and molecular biomarkers of Mycobacterium leprae viability—including DNA and mRNA levels—between baseline and day 56. Culture-based viability in mouse footpads also dropped sharply, with 96% of day-56 biopsies testing negative. No relapses occurred within the study period. These findings highlight bedaquiline’s potent anti-leprosy activity and support further investigation of its role in shortening treatment regimens.