Promising therapy of XDR-TB/MDR-TB with Thioridazine an inhibitor of bacterial efflux pumps

L. Amaral, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, Joseph Molnar, Jette E. Kristiansen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Global rates of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) continue to increase. Moreover, resistance of the causative organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis to the two most effective anti-TB medications continue to rise. Now, multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) has progressed to extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) - a M. tuberculosis organism that is resistant to the most effective second line drugs available for the treatment of TB. This review provides detailed, significant evidence that supports the use of an old neuroleptic compound, thioridazine (TZ), for the management of MDR-TB and XDR-TB infections and which has been shown to inhibit efflux pumps of bacteria. The argument has been previously presented but no one seems to be listening - and the disease continues unabated when there is a very good probability that the suggested drug will prove to be effective. When the prognosis is poor, available therapy predictably ineffective and death is inevitable, compassionate therapy with TZ should be contemplated. The risks are small and the rewards great.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)816-819
Number of pages4
JournalCurrent Drug Targets
VolumeVol. 9
Issue numbern.º 9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2008

Keywords

  • Therapy of MDR-TB
  • XDR-TB
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • thioridazine
  • efflux pumps
  • RESISTANT MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS
  • NEW-YORK-CITY
  • IN-VITRO ACTIVITY
  • CLINICAL CONCENTRATIONS
  • POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT
  • NON-ANTIBIOTICS
  • EX-VIVO
  • PHENOTHIAZINES
  • INFECTIONS
  • AGENTS

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