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Updated: May 3, 2026
08:34
Identification of Virulence Markers of Mycobacterium abscessus for Intracellular Replication in Phagocytes
Published on: September 27, 2018
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In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Myxin Against Mycobacterium abscessus
Zihao Liu1,2, Xiaoyu Wan1,2, Anqi Li1,2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology
|November 21, 2025
Summary
Myxin shows potent activity against Mycobacterium abscessus, a difficult-to-treat NTM infection. This antibiotic effectively reduces bacterial load both in vitro and within macrophages, offering a promising new treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, particularly Mycobacterium abscessus, are challenging to treat due to antimicrobial resistance.
- Myxin, a phenazine-5,10-dioxide antibiotic, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Myxin against NTM, focusing on Mycobacterium abscessus.
- To assess Myxin's activity against intracellular M. abscessus and its synergistic potential with existing anti-NTM drugs.
Main Methods:
- Microdilution assays determined Myxin's Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) against NTM strains and M. abscessus isolates.
- Time-kill kinetic experiments and intracellular efficacy studies in THP-1 macrophages were conducted.
- Checkerboard assays evaluated drug interactions between Myxin and other anti-NTM antibiotics.
Main Results:
- Myxin demonstrated potent activity against M. abscessus with low MIC values (MIC50 = 0.125 mg/L, MIC90 = 0.5 mg/L).
- Significant bacterial reduction (up to 10 log10 CFU/mL) was observed in broth cultures after 4 days.
- Myxin exhibited concentration-dependent bactericidal effects within macrophages and showed no antagonism with other anti-NTM drugs.
Conclusions:
- Myxin is a highly effective antibiotic against Mycobacterium abscessus.
- Myxin presents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating NTM infections, including challenging M. abscessus cases.
Keywords:
Mycobacterium abscessusMyxinnontuberculous mycobacteriaphenazine‐5,10‐dioxidesusceptibilityMore Related Videos
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