Role of Fluoroquinolones in Shortening Tuberculosis Treatment Duration: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

A major obstacle in Tuberculosis (TB) control is the long duration of treatment. Therefore, treatment shortening is one of the highest priorities for TB control programs worldwide. Fluoroquinolones (FQ) have been found to be highly active against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and recommended as second line agents for TB treatment. Recent evidences have shown that the newer generation FQ add to the effects of existing anti-TB drugs and perhaps allow TB treatment to be shortened. However, no review has been published on the role of FQ in shortening TB treatment duration. This book, therefore, is questioning whether FQ can shorten TB treatment duration. The study has used systematic review and meta-analysis method to synthesize, critically appraise and update all relevant clinical studies on the use of FQ for drug susceptible TB in shortening treatment duration. It included 10 studies from comprehensive search of electronic databases. The review will help highlight the challenges around the use of FQ in tuberculosis which will be of great importance in justifying shortening TB treatment duration.