Data on the experimental and clinical study of
capreomycin in the treatment of
tuberculosis are presented. It was shown that
capreomycin had low activity with respect to the sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv in vitro and the respective
infection caused by it in mice. The activity of
capreomycin in vitro with respect to
streptomycin resistant strains was the same as that with respect to the sensitive strains, while in vivo it increased 3 times.
Capreomycin showed a tendency to decreasing its activity with respect to strains highely resistant to canamycin only in vitro. The effect of
capreomycin on
tuberculosis infection caused by strains resistant to different concentrations of canamycin was the same as that on
tuberculosis infection caused by sensitive strains. Cross resistance between
florimycin (
viomycin) and
capreomycin was shown. Clinical trails of
capreomycin revealed its moderate therapeutic efficiency, relatively low toxicity and an allergenizing effect on the host. Transient ventibulopatia without pronounced signs of ototoxic action was observed. The nephrotoxic effect was moderate and transient. It was observed predominantly at the peak of the
allergic reactions to the antitubercle drugs. The data obtained during the study allow recommendation of
capreomycin use in clinics as reserve
drug when the causative agent is not resistant to
florimycin. The
drug should be used under regular control of the blood picture,
electrolyte metabolism, state of the kidneys, auditory and vestibular apparatus.