Biofilm prevention concentration of clarithromycin against clinically relevant species of nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Objective: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus are a group of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that have been described as human pathogens. Their ability to develop biofilms in tissues and medical devices is one of the most important pathogenicity factors, with important implications in diagnosis and treatment. Macrolides are usually considered one of the bases of this treatment.

Methods: Here we have studied the biofilm prevention concentration (BPC) of 16 strains (n=16) with clarithromycin to avoid the biofilm development by these NTM.

Results: In this study, all M. abscessus strains have similar BPC, while MAC strains showed different values. For MAC the concentrations ranged between 1-16 mg/L, while for M. abscessus the concentration was 32 mg/L for all strains except one that was 64 mg/L.

Conclusions: These results open the possibility of using macrolides for the prevention of biofilm development in patients with a risk of developing NTM disease.