In vitro and in vivo activities of gatifloxacin against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Gatifloxacin (GAT) and moxifloxacin (MXF) were evaluated in vitro to determine their activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. GAT was subsequently compared in a dose range study to isoniazid (INH) in a murine tuberculosis model. GAT was somewhat less active than INH. GAT and MXF were evaluated in mice infected with M. tuberculosis and were found to have similar activities. GAT was studied alone and in combination with ethambutol, ethionamide (ETA), and pyrazinamide (PZA) and compared to INH and rifampin (RIF). GAT appears to have sufficient activity alone and in combination with ETA with or without PZA to merit evaluation for treatment of tuberculosis.