Experience of using bedaquiline in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with multiple drug resistance

Abstract

Safety and efficiency of chemotherapy regimens including the new anti-tuberculosis drug of bedaquiline have been evaluated in 49 patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis with multiple and extensive drug resistance. The chemotherapy tolerance monitoring has detected the causality between bedaquiline intake as per Naranjo score in 12.2% of the patients, all reactions were reversible, but the cancellation of the drug was needed in 5 cases out of 6. The efficiency evaluation of six month treatment with bedaquiline showed satisfactory results as per the main efficiency criterion – sputum conversion. Sputum smear conversion was registered in 80.0% of patients, sputum conversion confirmed by culture was registered in 66.7% of patients with cessation or significant reduction of intoxication syndrome – in 83.3% of patients. The positive changes in X-ray were observed in 63.3% of cases, but cavity closure was achieved only in 25% of patients which was due to continuity of the preceding follow-up with the development of expressed fibrosis lesions in the lung tissue of the examined patients. The conclusion was made about satisfactory tolerance and efficiency of the new anti-tuberculosis drug of bedaquiline.