Antimicrobial compounds

Abstract

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 α-substitued, β-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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.