Metronidazole lacks antibacterial activity in guinea pigs infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT

Metronidazole, which is used for the treatment of infections caused by anaerobic organisms, was evaluated in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected guinea pigs. M. tuberculosis can adapt to hypoxia, which is present in the primary lesions of infected guinea pigs. Metronidazole treatment (for 6 weeks at 100 mg/kg of body weight) resulted in no reduction in the bacillary burden and significantly worsened lesion inflammation.