Metronidazole lacks antibacterial activity in guinea pigs infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Metronidazole, which is used for the treatment of infections caused by anaerobic organisms, was evaluated in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected guinea pigs. M. tuberculosis can adapt to hypoxia, which is present in the primary lesions of infected guinea pigs. Metronidazole treatment (for 6 weeks at 100 mg/kg of body weight) resulted in no reduction in the bacillary burden and significantly worsened lesion inflammation.
Hoff
Donald R
DR
Department of Microbiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Caraway
Megan L
ML
Brooks
Elizabeth J
EJ
Driver
Emily R
ER
Ryan
Gavin J
GJ
Peloquin
Charles A
CA
Orme
Ian M
IM
Basaraba
Randall J
RJ
Lenaerts
Anne J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011718:Pyrazinamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D011718:Pyrazinamide; D007538:Isoniazid; D012293:Rifampin