Authors: Ntziora, F.¹; Falagas, M.E.²

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 11, Number 6, June 2007 , pp. 606-611(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases to review the available evidence regarding the use of linezolid in combination with other drugs for the treatment of patients with mycobacterial infection. Case reports, case series, prospective and retrospective studies, and randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review if they evaluated the effectiveness and safety of linezolid for the treatment of patients with mycobacterial infection. Four studies were available, including 24 cases of patients with atypical mycobacterial infection. Cure of the infection, defined as sterilization of mycobacterial cultures or resolution of symptoms, was achieved in 15 of the 24 cases (62.5%) with mycobacterial infection (mainly tuberculosis). Sterile cultures were also achieved in three other cases, although the patients had stopped linezolid (two because of optic neuropathy and one due to economic reasons; all three continued on second-line therapy). On the other hand, serious adverse events were observed in the majority of patients with mycobacterial infection treated with combinations that included linezolid (18/24, 75%). Neuropathy (peripheral and/or optic) and anemia were reported in 11/24 (45.8%) and 10/24 (41.7%) cases, respectively. Although the limited evidence suggests that linezolid may be considered as a second-line agent for mycobacterial infections, any treatment with linezolid should be weighed against the risks associated with its long-term use.

Keywords: linezolid; oxazolidinone; tuberculosis; non-tuberculous mycobacteria; multidrug-resistant mycobacterial infections; M. avium complex

Document Type: Review article

Affiliations: 1: Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), Athens, Greece 2: Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), Athens, Greece; Department of Medicine, Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece; and Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Publication date: 2007-06-01

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• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

  Certain IJTLD articles are selected for translation into French, Spanish, Chinese or Russian. They are available on the Union website

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