Improved survival in patients with severe tuberculosis after exposure to fluoroquinolones.

Background: The clinical impact of prior exposure to antibiotics on patients with tuberculosis (TB) is largely unknown. This study investigated the survival of patients with severe TB after exposure to a variety of antibiotics.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in TB patients with prior exposure to fluoroquinolones (FQs) (FQ group), to third-generation cephalosporins (CEPH group), and to third-generation penicillins (PCN group).