Antituberculosis activity of certain antifungal and antihelmintic drugs

Abstract

A panel of antifungal and antihelmintic drugs was tested for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. Antifungal drugs, miconazole, 2-nitroimidazole, clotrimazole, and the antihelmintic drug niclosamide were found to have significant antituberculosis activity, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between 1 and 10 micrograms/ml. Niclosamide and 2-nitroimidazole also had activity against stationary phase tubercle bacilli. Further testing of these drugs and their derivatives in vitro and in vivo appears to be warranted.