Linezolid Dosing Strategies in Drug-Resistant TB

Inclusion Criteria

• Newly diagnosed pulmonary drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), with resistance to at least rifampicin or rifampin (which is a drug used in the therapy of tuberculosis) confirmed from a sputum specimen collected within 60 days prior to entry.
• HIV-1 infection status documented as either absent or present.
• For participants living with HIV, either currently on an antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen or willing and able to start ART within 30 days after entry.
• Efavirenz or etravirine (drugs used to treat HIV) must be discontinued prior to a participant's starting anti-TB medications. For participants on efavirenz or etravirine, they must be willing and able to discontinue these at least 7 days prior to initiating study TB medications.
• For participants living with HIV, CD4+ cell (a type of white blood cell) count greater than or equal to 50 cells/mm3 obtained within 60 days prior to study entry.
• For females of reproductive potential, negative serum or urine pregnancy test.
• Females of reproductive potential who are participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy must agree to use two of the following forms of birth control while receiving TB study medications and for 30 days after stopping study medications:
• Male or female condoms
• Diaphragm or cervical cap (with spermicide, if available)
• Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS)
• Hormone-based birth control (e.g., oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera, NuvaRing, implants)
• Appropriate laboratory values as determined by the study doctor obtained within 14 days prior to entry.
• Karnofsky performance score (an assessment tool for functional impairment) greater than or equal to 50 within 30 days prior to entry.
• Ability and willingness of candidate and/or legal guardian/representative to provide informed consent and meet requirements for the study.
• Chest X-ray obtained within 30 days prior to entry.

Exclusion Criteria

• Documentation of clinically significant (as judged by the study doctor) active infections (including HIV-related opportunistic infections) other than TB and HIV requiring treatment within 30 days prior to entry.
• Evidence of clinically significant (as judged by the study doctor) metabolic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, ophthalmological, pulmonary, neurological, psychiatric, endocrine diseases, malignancy, or other abnormalities (other than the indication being studied) that would interfere with study medications or procedures.
• Inability to take oral medications.
• Suspected or documented TB involving the central nervous system, clinically significant renal TB or TB pericarditis, or current extrapulmonary TB involving other organ systems that might interfere with study medications or procedures, as judged by the study doctor.
• Prior treatment with one or more of the study drugs at any time in the past for an episode of DR-TB that is not the qualifying episode or treatment for more than 7 cumulative days with one or more of the study drugs within 30 days prior to entry for the qualifying episode of DR-TB.
• History of allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the study drugs or medications in the same class as the study drugs.
• Known or suspected current alcohol and/or drug abuse that is, in the opinion of the study doctor, sufficient to compromise the safety and/or cooperation of the participant.
• Receipt of any investigational drugs within 60 days prior to entry.
• Known history of prolonged QT syndrome (heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats) or current prolonged QT interval on screening electrocardiogram (a medical test that detects cardiac (heart) abnormalities).
• Known history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia (a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm) requiring medication or clinically significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality, in the opinion of the study doctor,