Efficiency of intravenous treatment with levofloxacin in patients with MDR pulmonary tuberculosis in the intensive phase of chemotherapy

<b>Aim:</b> To study the effectiveness of intravenous treatment with levofloxacin in patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR TB) in the intensive phase of chemotherapy. <b>Materials and methods:</b> We observed 62 patients with MDR TB. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 - 32 patients who received lefofloxacin intravenously for 2 months and group 2 - 30 patients who received this drug orally. <b>Results:</b> It was found that after 2 months from the start of treatment with intravenous administration of levofloxacin, sputum culture conversion was recorded in 14 (43.7%) patients, and after oral administration - in 6 (20%) patients (p &lt;0.05). Cessation of bacterial excretion by the culture method at the end of the intensive phase of treatment was observed in 19 (59.3%) patients in group 1 and 9 (30%) in group 2 (p &lt;0.05). <b>Measurements and Main Results:</b> Intravenous administration of levofloxacin in the intensive phase of treatment in patients with MDR TB is more effective than the oral form of this drug. The use of the intravenous form of levofloxacin promotes a more rapid cessation of clinical symptoms, an early cessation of bacterial excretion and an X-ray regression of the tuberculous process in the lungs during the intensive phase of treatment.