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Promising New Treatment to Prevent Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

new respiratory publication meakins-christie

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a serious health threat. Montreal recently reported a 54% increase in cases in 2024, drawing attention to the global challenge of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB. This dangerous form of TB, which resists commonly used drugs, affects about 400,000 people worldwide annually and threatens to spread without effective prevention.

Exciting new research, led by a global team including Drs. Dick Menzies and Andrea Benedetti from The Institute (RI-MUHC) and scientists from the University of Sydney, has shown that the antibiotic levofloxacin could significantly reduce the risk of MDR-TB. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate that levofloxacin was safe to use and nearly halved the risk of developing MDR-TB in close contacts of infected individuals. Importantly, the antibiotic was well-tolerated, with no significant side effects or increase in antibiotic resistance.

These results align with findings from a similar study conducted in South Africa, further reinforcing levofloxacin’s potential. Together, the studies highlight a promising way to protect families and communities from MDR-TB, providing hope for reducing the global burden of this difficult-to-treat disease.

These breakthroughs underscore the importance of ongoing collaboration in tackling MDR-TB and improving public health worldwide.

Read More

Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Vietnam. Fox GJ, Nhung NV, Cam Binh N, Hoa NB, Garden FL, Benedetti A, Ngoc Yen P, Cuong NK, MacLean EL, Yapa HM, Dowdy DW, Lan NH, Guevara-Rattray E, Duc Cuong P, Solomon O, Behr MA, Marais BJ, Graham SM, Menzies D, Thu Anh N, Marks GB. N Engl J Med. 2024 Dec 19;391(24):2304-2314.

In the News

Tuberculosis: A persistent threat, yet clinical trials show promise. Researchers at The Institute advance the search for preventive treatments for multidrug-resistant TB. The Institute News. January 20, 2025