Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and compositions for the aerosolized administration of capreomycin to persons in need thereof. Administration of capreomycin by aerosol can be used to reduce the infectivity of persons with tuberculosis, or to reduce the severity or duration of a tuberculosis infection. The invention further provides for the use of capreomycin for the manufacture of a medicament for aerosolized administration to a person in need thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating disease caused by infectious agents, particularly tuberculosis. In particular, methods and compositions comprising substituted ethylene diamines for the treatment of infectious diseases are provided. In one embodiment, these methods and compositions are used for the treatment of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating disease caused by infectious agents, particularly tuberculosis. In particular, methods and compositions comprising substituted ethylene diamines for the treatment of infectious diseases are provided. In one embodiment, these methods and compositions are used for the treatment of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that a putative gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with no previously identified function is responsible for the ability of the bacterium to activate thioamide drugs. Since M. tuberculosis has a low rate of synonymous mutations, all mutations in this gene, identified as Rv3854c and now termed “EtaA,” are expected to inhibit the ability of a bacterium with the mutation to activate a thioamide or thiocarbonyl drug. Thus, detecting a bacterium with a mutation in this gene indicates that the bacterium is resistant to treatment with thioamides.

Abstract: DNA and protein compositions useful for both diagnosis and design of therapeutics for treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. More specifically, the present invention relates to DNA and protein compositions which are responsible for the cyclopropanation of mycolic acids in M. tuberculosis and other pathogenic forms of mycobacterium. A method for determining the ability of a compound to inhibit the cyclopropanation of mycolic acids in pathogenic mycobacteria is disclosed.