Ethambutol in the retreatment of multi resistant advanced pulmonary tuberculosis (salvage cases)

Abstract

This report summarizes the results obtained in the retreatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with EMB alone and in combination with other reserve drugs in 38 patients who had failed to respond to previous chemotherapy involving the use of primary as well as of secondary drugs. There were 11 patients who received EMB alone as the effective antituberculosis drug. In addition, 15 patients received EMB, with one other effective reserve drug and twelve patients were treated with EMB plus two other effective reserve drugs. EMB was given in a dosage of 25 mg/kg/day for the first 60 days, thereafter 15 mg/kg/day. There were eight patients who failed to become culture negative for tubercle bacilli, plus 6 cases who relapsed during the period of retreatment. However, 24 patients (63%) became consistently culture negative, demonstrating an excellent therapy response. Intolerance sufficient to require drug withdrawal was encountered in one patient on Ethambutol (3%). The results suggest that EMB is an effective antituberculosis drug and can be used safely in the chemotherapy of retreatment.