Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Pathogens
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), a type of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), poses a risk for pulmonary infections and disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals. Conventional treatment consists of a 12-month regimen of the first-line antibiotics rifampicin and azithromycin. However, the treatment duration and low antibiotic tolerability present challenges in the treatment of M. avium infection. Furthermore, the emergence of multidrug-resistant mycobacterium strains prompts a need for novel treatments against M. avium infection. This study aims to test the efficacy of a novel antimicrobial peptide, cyclic [R4W4], alongside the first-line antibiotics azithromycin and rifampicin in reducing M. avium survival. Colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were assessed after treating M. avium cultures with varying concentrations of cyclic [R4W4] alone or in conjunction with azithromycin or rifampicin 3 h and 4 days post-treatment. M. avium growth was significantly reduced 4 days after cyclic [R4W4] single treatment. Additionally, cyclic [R4W4]–azithromycin and cyclic [R4W4]–rifampicin combination treatments at specific concentrations significantly reduced M. avium survival 3 h and 4 days post-treatment compared with single antibiotic treatment alone. These findings demonstrate cyclic [R4W4] as a potent treatment method against M. avium and provide insight into novel therapeutic approaches against mycobacterium infections.
DOI
10.3390/pathogens12081057
Publication Date
8-18-2023
Keywords
nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium, azithromycin, rifampicin, immunocompromised
ISSN
2076-0817
Recommended Citation
Kelley M, Sasaninia K, Abnousian A, Badaoui A, Owens J, Beever A, Kachour N, Tiwari RK, Venketaraman V. Additive Effects of Cyclic Peptide [R4W4] When Added Alongside Azithromycin and Rifampicin Against Mycobacterium avium Infection. Pathogens. 2023; 12(8). doi: 10.3390/pathogens12081057.
