[Multifactorial experiment on the combined action of doxycycline and a low molecular weight immunomodulator of microbial origin in experimental anthrax infection]

Chemotherapeutic efficacy of combined therapy of experimental anthrax infection with subtherapeutic doses of doxycycline and a low molecular weight immunomodulator of microbial origin was studied with mathematical design of the experiment and multifactorial analysis. A marked synergistic effect of oral doxycycline and the immunomodulator was observed. The results of the multifactorial experiment were computer processed and polynomial statistic models (the second order equations) describing the survival rate and mean lifespan (MLS) were derived. The equal level lines characterizing the survival rate and MLS were plotted against the fixed values of the time factor of administering the immunomodulator and the dose of the antibiotic. The doses of the immunomodulator and the time of its administration were optimized with respect to the maximum therapeutic effect with doxycycline subtherapeutic doses.