The addition of amoxicillin improves the efficacy of the imipenem-avibactam combination against <i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i> in a mouse model of infection

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium abscessus lung infections remain difficult to treat. Previous studies have shown that the combinations of a carbapenem and a second-generation β-lactamase inhibitor are effective in vitro , in macrophages, and in zebrafish embryos. We report here that imipenem combined with avibactam is also effective in a C3HeB/FeJ mouse model of infection in reducing bacterial burden in organs. The addition of amoxicillin improved the antibacterial activity of this combination in the lungs and kidneys.