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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Thomas Cope, Professor Bobby McFarlandORCiD, Dr Andrew Schaefer
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Due to their prokaryotic origins. mitochondria are susceptible to a number of antibiotics that target the bacterial ribosome, and this vulnerability is exacerbated by certain mutations of the mitochondrial genome. MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) syndrome is characterised by biochemical and structural abnormalities of the muscle mitochondria, in which episodes of lactic acidosis stem from dysfunction of assembled respiratory complex I. Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that has been reported to induce lactic acidosis, especially after prolonged administration, through inhibition of the mitochondrially synthesised components of oxidative phosphorylation. We report a patient with longstanding MELAS who suffered a severe lactic acidosis of rapid onset, with associated features of mitochondrial failure, shortly after the commencement of linezolid therapy and in the context of an otherwise improving clinical picture. This case emphasises the importance of circumspection when utilising drugs known to be toxic to the mitochondrion in patients with mitochondrial disease. In particular, given the biochemically plausible interaction, it would seem prudent to avoid the use of linezolid in patients with MELAS whenever possible. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Cope TE, McFarland R, Schaefer A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Mitochondrion
Year: 2011
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Pages: 992-993
Print publication date: 01/09/2011
ISSN (print): 1567-7249
ISSN (electronic): 1872-8278
Publisher: Elsevier BV
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2011.08.010
DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.08.010
PubMed id: 21907311
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