The first experience of using bedaquiline in the treatment of pulmonary mycobacteriosis in children with cystic fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have the highest risk of developing pulmonary mycobacteriosis. A pressing issue is the introduction of new drugs, such as bedaquiline, into pediatric clinical practice, as these drugs have shown proven efficacy against nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in microbiological studies.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the first experience of using bedaquiline in the treatment of pulmonary mycobacteriosis in two 14-year-old boys with CF.

Conclusion. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic tests demonstrated the efficacy of bedaquiline when included in mycobacteriosis treatment regimens. A good tolerability was noted. Persistent isolation of Mycobacterium abscessus after 12 months of treatment in case 1 and M. intracellulare after 6 months in case 2 were considered carrier states. The use of bedaquiline did not result in the expected eradication of NTM, confirming the need for continued research and the search for new drugs for the treatment of pulmonary mycobacteriosis in patients with CF and implementation of these drugs into clinical practice.

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