Linezolid directly affects the ability of the mitochondria to produce energy

Dr Salil Mehta, Volunteer and Consultant Ophthalmologist with MSF, recently published a paper on optic neuropathy in DR-TB patients in Mumbai. He discusses key takeaways of his research with Sachin Jagdale.

- Sachin Jagdale

Any specific reason behind selecting patients from Mumbai for Linezolid associated optic neuropathy in DR-TB patient study?

There is a combination of reasons. Firstly, MSF has an excellent and a well established TB/HIV clinic in Mumbai. Hence, the expertise is available. Secondly, and more importantly, Mumbai is a global hot spot for tuberculosis (TB). A perfect storm of several factors including extreme population densities, incorrect treatment and poor compliance are leading to high incidence of primary drug sensitive TB and subsequent drug resistance. Worryingly, an increasing number of patients are presenting with primary drug resistant tuberculosis. This makes Mumbai an ideal city to undertake such a study.

Can you take us through this entire study. (How and why was it started? Have you managed to achieve your targets?)

Ever since the use of linezolid became wide spread, available literature suggested potential ocular toxicity. Accordingly, the staff and doctors of MSF conducted primary screening and evaluation for all these patients. Suspect cases were then referred for further evaluation. These patients were fully evaluated, treated and followed up till resolution. It's an ongoing process and hopefully in a few years we will have more data for more research.