TB Research

Weekly pulmonary delivery of β-glucan-chitosan-poly(lactic co-glycolic) acid (β-C-P) nanoparticles with daily standard oral therapy achieves control ofin BALB/c mice.

Hilliard L Kutscher, Maria Tamblin, Patrick Kenney, Jessica L Reynolds

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2026-04

Abstract

Prolonged daily tuberculosis therapy contributes to toxicity, poor adherence, and drug resistance. We developed rifampin (RIF)-loaded β-glucan-chitosan-poly (lactic co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (β-C-P nanoparticles) for weekly pulmonary delivery and evaluated a hybrid dosing regimen in a BALB/cmodel. Weekly instilled RIF loaded 20% β-C-P nanoparticles combined with daily oral isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PZA) reduced lung and spleen bacterial burdens comparable to oral daily standard of care (RIF, INH, PZA) and were well tolerated, demonstrating preserved efficacy with reduced RIF dosing frequency.