Minocycline Has No Clear Role in the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus Disease

Abstract

<i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i> causes a difficult-to-treat pulmonary disease (MAb-PD). After initial intravenous treatment, minocycline is recommended in the oral continuation phase of treatment. We determined the MICs, synergy, and time-kill kinetics of minocycline against <i>M. abscessus</i> With MICs of 8 to 512 mg/liter, rapid emergence of tolerance in time-kill assays, and no synergy with other drugs used to treat MAb-PD, minocycline appears ineffective against <i>M. abscessus</i> These <i>in vitro</i> data question its role as a MAb-PD treatment modality.