Abstract
Introduction: Resistances in M. tuberculosis requires the search for alternative drugs. Mefloquine is used in the treatment of malaria. Methods: We evaluated the in vitro activity of Mefloquine against 21 MDR- and 92 nonMDR-Tb strains otherwise tested in our center between 2001 and 2013. For this purpose we analyzed the in vitro susceptibility test results of Mefloquine assessed by minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). MIC were determined on solid Middlebrook-7H10 - agar plates ( Lung India 2012;29:309). MICs were defined as the lowest drug concentration after twofold serially diluted concentration of Mefloquine, that inhibits growth of more than 99% of a bacterial proportion of the tested Tb strain on solid Middlebrook-7H10 agar plates within 14 to 21 days of incubation at 37°C. Results: 113 M. tuberculosis - strains were evaluated. 92 strains (92/113; 81.4%) had no resistances; 21 strains (21/113; 18.6%) were resistant to Isoniazid and Rifampicin (MDR - TB). At 72 strains (72/92; 78.2%) of the fully sensitive TB a MIC for Mefloquine was measured at 8 µg / ml, 10 strains (10/92; 10.9%) of fully sensitive TB had an MIC of 4 µg / ml, 10 strains (10/92; 10.9%) a MIC of 16 µg / ml. In 17 (17/21; 81%) of the MDR - TB strains a MIC of 8 µg / ml was measured and at 4 MDR - TB strains (4/21; 19%) the MIC was 4 µg / ml. Conclusion: The majority of the (MDR and nonMDR) strains showed an antitubercular activity at a MIC of 8 µg/ ml. Mefloquine is a drug with a very good tissue penetration (Malaria Journal 2013;12:443). Despite the frequent side effects we suggest that the well-known drug should be evaluated in clinical studies on MDR-Tb-patients.
Published Version
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