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Assay Development for High-Throughput Drug Screening Against Mycobacteria
Published on: October 25, 2024
Quinolones for mycobacterial infections
Ethan Rubinstein1, Yoav Keynan
1Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. erubinstein70@gmail.com
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|May 7, 2013
Summary
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) significantly shorten leprosy treatment. However, widespread resistance complicates their use in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), though newer agents show promise.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are crucial for treating mycobacterial infections.
- FQs have revolutionized leprosy treatment by shortening therapy duration.
- Their role in tuberculosis (TB) is challenged by increasing resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and role of fluoroquinolones in leprosy and tuberculosis.
- To assess the impact of fluoroquinolone resistance on treatment strategies.
- To explore the potential of novel fluoroquinolone-related compounds in drug-resistant TB.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal and human studies on fluoroquinolone use in leprosy.
- Analysis of fluoroquinolone resistance patterns in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) prevalent regions.
- Examination of emerging fluoroquinolone-related compounds like bedaquiline for TB treatment.
Main Results:
- Fluoroquinolones are established as a cornerstone therapy for leprosy.
- Widespread fluoroquinolone resistance is a significant challenge in treating MDR-TB, especially in Southeast Asia.
- Early human studies suggest potential efficacy of bedaquiline in drug-resistant TB.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroquinolones remain vital for leprosy treatment.
- Fluoroquinolone resistance necessitates alternative strategies for MDR-TB.
- Bedaquiline represents a potential new avenue for treating extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
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