Effective Treatment of Mycobacterium avium subsp hominissuis and Mycobacterium abscessus Species Infections in Macrophages, Biofilm, and Mice by Using Liposomal Ciprofloxacin

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) affect an increasing number of individuals worldwide. Infection with these organisms is more common in patients with chronic lung conditions, and treatment is challenging. Quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, have been used to treat patients, but the results have not been encouraging. In this report, we evaluate novel formulations of liposome-encapsulated ciprofloxacin (liposomal ciprofloxacin) in vitro and in vivo. Its efficacy against Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium abscessus was examined in macrophages, in biofilms, and in vivo using intranasal instillation mouse models. Liposomal ciprofloxacin was significantly more active than free ciprofloxacin against both pathogens in macrophages and biofilms. When evaluated in vivo, treatment with the liposomal ciprofloxacin formulations was associated with significant decreases in the bacterial loads in the lungs of animals infected with M. avium and M. abscessus. In summary, topical delivery of liposomal ciprofloxacin in the lung at concentrations greater than those achieved in the serum can be effective in the treatment of NTM, and further evaluation is warranted.