TB Research

Rifabutin central nervous system concentrations in a rabbit model of tuberculous meningitis

Wasserman S, Antilus-Sainte R, Abdelgawad N, Odjourian NM, Cristaldo M, Dougher M, Kaya F, Zimmerman M, et al. (10 authors)

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2024-07

Abstract

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has a high mortality, possibly due to suboptimal therapy. Drug exposure data of antituberculosis agents in the central nervous system (CNS) are required to develop more effective regimens. Rifabutin is a rifamycin equivalently potent to rifampin in human pulmonary tuberculosis. Here, we show that human-equivalent doses of rifabutin achieved potentially therapeutic exposure in relevant CNS tissues in a rabbit model of TBM, supporting further evaluation in clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Central Nervous System
  • Animals
  • Rabbits
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis, Meningeal
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Rifabutin
  • Rifampin
  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular
  • Antitubercular Agents