Is bedaquiline as effective as fluoroquinolones in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis?

The MDR-TB Management Group of the French National Reference Center for Mycobacteria and the Physicians of the French MDR-TB CohortInternational audienceBedaquiline (Bdq) is approved for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB). In a phase IIb trial, Bdq allowed a significant reduction in time to culture conversion and improved outcome in MDR-TB patients [1, 2]. Preliminary reports of Bdq compassionate use have shown promising results [3–5]. However, in an early bactericidal activity (EBA) study, the association of moxifloxacin (Mfx) with PA-824 and pyrazinamide showed better activity than Bdq-based associations [6]. In addition, resistance to fluoroquinolones (Fq) has been associated with poorer outcome in MDR-TB before Bdq use [7]. These data reinforce the pivotal role of Fq. Comparing Bdq to Fq in interventional studies is challenging. Indeed, the paucity of drugs available for MDR-TB treatment, and the need for combination therapy, often impose the need to use all available drugs