Fluoroquinolones and tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the main causes of morbidity worldwide, and the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in some parts of the world has become a major concern. The decrease in activity of the major anti-TB drugs, such as isoniazid and rifampicin, is an important threat and alternative therapies are urgently required. The anti-TB activity of the fluoroquinolones has been under investigation since the 1980s. Many are active in vitro but only a few, including ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, levofloxacin and lomefloxacin, have been clinically tested. Fluoroquinolones can be used in co-therapy with the available anti-TB drugs. However, the choice of fluoroquinolone should be based not only on the in vitro activity, but also on the long-term tolerance. Fluoroquinolones are novel anti-TB drugs to be used when a patient is infected with a MDR-TB strain.
Bryskier
André
A
Aventis Pharma SA, Infectious Disease Group, Clinical Pharmacology, 102, route de Noisy, 93235 Romainville, Cédex, France. andre.bryskier@aventis.com
Lowther
John
J
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones