Pilot study of twice-weekly therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Taiwan has never implemented supervised intermittent chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis, and its application and results are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a 62-dose, four-drug, 6-month, twice-weekly regimen administered by directly observed therapy for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: From January 2004 through December 2006, a total of 116 patients with suspected or confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled.