PZA is an important antituberculosis agent whose mechanism of action is unknown.
Resistance usually depends on decreased levels of pyrazinamidase activity.
Pyrazinoic acid esters which circumvent this mechanism of resistance are being evaluated. These analogs have substantially improved in vitro activity compared to PZA against M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. avium, and M. kansasii. Evaluation of in vivo activity of antimycobacterial agents in murine models. There is need for improved therapy for disseminated M. avium infection and M. tuberculosis infection. Analogs of established agents as well as new chemical entities are being studied in various models of mycobacterial infection in mice.