Efficacy and safety of linezolid in the treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

Abstract

Linezolid is a new antibiotic with activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and in vivo. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of linezolid in the treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). We used a linezolid-containing regimen in the treatment of 14 XDR-TB patients. Two years of individualized chemotherapy regimens were adopted on the basis of the patients' medication history and the results of drug susceptibility testing. The patients received 600 mg of linezolid twice a day for the first 1-2 months, followed by once a day thereafter. Eleven patients (78.6z) showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms. Chest computed tomography revealed that 10 patients (71.4z) showed cavity closure. Smear conversion and culture conversion were achieved in all 14 patients (100z) with an average of 64 and 63 days, respectively. The exact proportions of serious and minor adverse events determined by linezolid were 21.4z (3/14) and 64.3z (9/14), respectively. These data show that linezolid-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of XDR-TB may significantly improve clinical symptoms, promote lesion absorption and cavity closure, and accelerate sputum conversion. Further, adverse reactions can be tolerated and resolved with suitable intervention.