The invention provides methods for determining and evaluating the
in vitro-
in vivo activity relationship of the
efficacy of families of compounds for infectious diseases such as
tuberculosis. The validity of the methods can be confirmed by evaluation of the compounds in animal models, for example, in murine models of
tuberculosis. Examples of families of antibacterial compounds that can be evaluated for
in vivo efficacy using the
in vitro methods described herein include benzimidazoles, pyridopyrazines, pteridines, diphenyl ethers, beta-lactams, PBP inhibitors, and compounds that are non-ribonucleic acid and
protein synthesis inhibitors. The methods can be used to evaluate classes of
small molecule compounds and inhibitors that may be effective against any bacterial
pathogen. The methods aid the identification of compounds, such as various benzimidazoles, with
modes of action having activity against clinical isolates, as well as non-replicating persistent
bacilli, which can therefore enhance current clinical therapeutic regimens.