PROSPECTS OF GALLERIA MELLONELLA LARVAE USAGE IN PREVENTION AND COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF HUMAN TUBERCULOSIS

Objective: The study of mycobacterium susceptibility to the combined application of anti-tuberculosis drugs and "Alcohol Balsam" based on beekeeping products. Methods: The anti-tuberculosis activity of ATD (anti-tuberculosis drugs) and dietary supplements "Alcohol Balsam" combination was studied in in vitro experiment in 2016. The results of swabs microscopy were assessed by the amount of bacteria within microsopic view and intensity of the "curve". The growth of MBT (mycobacterium tuberculosis) surface culture in test tubes was determined visually according to the number of colonies on the surface of the breeding ground. The research scientists tested 11, 12, 13 and 14 days' drug effects on mycobacterium culture. Findings: In case of the main anti-tuberculosis drugs and "Alcohol Balsam" combined application, the growth of drugsensitive and multidrug-resistant strains of tuberculosis bacterium is suppressed by 100% in earlier phases compared to the anti-tuberculosis drug application alone. Conclusions: Various dilutions of ‘Alcohol balsam' based on beekeeping products being added to the breeding ground of the first and second line anti-tuberculosis drugs increase their drugs bactericidal effects. Moreover, in earlier phases they suppress the growth of drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant strains of tuberculosis mycobacterium in 100 % of cases. Thus, the efficacy and expediency of Galleria mellonella larvae based drugs application for human tuberculosis prevention and comprehensive treatment have been proved. Keywords: Treatment and prevention of tuberculosis; beekeeping products; Galleria mellonella larvae; Galleria mellonella; Mycobacterium tuberculosis.