RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Certain Surfactants Show Promise in the Therapy of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
JF In Vivo
JO In Vivo
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 687
OP 694
VO 24
IS 5
A1 JAMES K. STOOPS
A1 RANJANA ARORA
A1 LISA ARMITAGE
A1 AUDREY WANGER
A1 LING SONG
A1 MICHAEL R. BLACKBURN
A1 GERHARD R. KRUEGER
A1 SEMYON A. RISIN
YR 2010
UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/24/5/687.abstract
AB Background/Aim: The aim of the present study was to develop the basis for the use of surfactants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Bacteria are surrounded by a thick lipid coat primarily consisting of trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and, consequently, are well shielded from the immune system's response and antibiotics. This protective barrier was removed by exposing the bacteria to certain surfactants. Materials and Methods: Dodecyl maltoside (DDM) and octyl glucoside (OG) were utilized as non-toxic surfactants. Results: Electron microscopy (EM) studies revealed that aggregated bacteria were also covered with excessive TDM which exacerbate the treatment efforts. Light and EM studies demonstrated that DDM and OG disperse the aggregated bacteria and are bactericidal. Conclusion: The studies presented here establish that certain surfactants are proficient in removing MTB's shield and, because they are well known as cell permeabilizing agents, they may also enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and the immune system's response in the treatment of pulmonary TB.