Shortest possible acceptable effective chemotherapy in ambulatory patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Part II. Results during the 24 months after the end of chemotherapy.

Efficacy of two 4.5-month regimens (3 RSZH / S2H2Z2 and 3 RSZH /RH) and one 3-month regimen (3 RSZH ) in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis is reported (see table 1 for definition of regimen abbreviations). Even when the patients were ambulatory and outpatient attendance was required for supervised drug administration, drug compliance was high (87%).

Shortest possible acceptable, effective ambulatory chemotherapy in pulmonary tuberculosis: preliminary report I.

In two 4.5-month regimens and one 3-month regimen the four most potent antituberculous drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and streptomycin) were given for the initial 3 months of chemotherapy. Acceptance by the patients was high, and bacillary sterilization was achieved in 96% of cases within 2 months.