Synergistic interactions of indole-2-carboxamides and β-lactam antibiotics against Mycobacterium abscessus

New drugs or therapeutic combinations are urgently needed against Mycobacterium abscessus Previously, we demonstrated the potent activity of indole-2-carboxamides 6 and 12 against M. abscessus. We show here that these compounds act synergistically with imipenem and cefoxitin in vitro and increase the bactericidal activity of the beta-lactams against M. abscessus In addition, compound 12 also displays synergism with imipenem and cefoxitin within infected macrophages. The clinical potential of these new drug combinations requires further evaluation.