Drug-Penetration Gradients Associated with Acquired Drug Resistance in Patients with Tuberculosis

What is it about?

We examined the penetration of 8 drugs into tuberculosis lung cavities during long-term duration of tuberculosis, and the susceptibility of tubercle bacilli to these drugs. We found that that there were two gradient patterns to the drug penetration into cavities, and the steepness of these gradients and the low concentrations achieved inside cavities, drove the emergence of resistance. This led to a situation where some bacilli in the same cavity were drug-resistant while others were still susceptible.

Featured Image