TY - JOUR
T1 - Anthelmintic avermectins kill mycobacterium tuberculosis, including multidrug-resistant clinical strains
AU - Lim, Leah E.
AU - Vilchèze, Catherine
AU - Ng, Carol
AU - Jacobs, William R.
AU - Ramón-García, Santiago
AU - Thompson, Charles J.
PY - 2013/2
Y1 - 2013/2
N2 - Avermectins are a family of macrolides known for their anthelmintic activities and traditionally believed to be inactive against all bacteria. Here we report that members of the family, ivermectin, selamectin, and moxidectin, are bactericidal against mycobacterial species, including multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Avermectins are approved for clinical and veterinary uses and have documented pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. We suggest that avermectins could be repurposed for tuberculosis treatment.
AB - Avermectins are a family of macrolides known for their anthelmintic activities and traditionally believed to be inactive against all bacteria. Here we report that members of the family, ivermectin, selamectin, and moxidectin, are bactericidal against mycobacterial species, including multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Avermectins are approved for clinical and veterinary uses and have documented pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. We suggest that avermectins could be repurposed for tuberculosis treatment.
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U2 - 10.1128/AAC.01696-12
DO - 10.1128/AAC.01696-12
M3 - Article
C2 - 23165468
AN - SCOPUS:84872842061
SN - 0066-4804
VL - 57
SP - 1040
EP - 1046
JO - Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
JF - Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
IS - 2
ER -
