Tuberc Respir Dis.  2008 May;64(5):341-346. 10.4046/trd.2008.64.5.341.

The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Short-term Treatment in Patients with Recurrent Pulmonary Tuberculosis

• Yoo SS
• Kwon JS
• Kang YR
• Lee JW
• Cha SI
• Park JY
• Jung TH
• Kim CH

• KMID: 1478189
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.64.5.341

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can be due to relapse of the original infecting strain or due to reinfection with a new strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We investigated the clinical characteristics and efficacy of short-term treatment (6 months) in patients with recurrent pulmonary TB.
METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with recurrent pulmonary TB were compared with control patients who received primary treatment for pulmonary TB with respect to drug sensitivity and outcomes of treatment.
RESULTS
Most patients with recurrent pulmonary TB (25 cases, 86.2%) recurred more than 2 years after the completion of previous treatment. Twenty-three patients (82.1%) with recurrent pulmonary TB were sensitive to all anti-tuberculous drugs and a ratio was similar to the drug sensitivities observed in control patients. The outcomes of short-term treatment in patients with drug-sensitive TB were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Recurrent pulmonary TB in the study area was likely due to reinfection with new strains. Thus the short-term treatment of patients with drug-sensitive recurrent pulmonary TB may be successful.(Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;64:341-346)

Keyword

Recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis; Reinfection; Relapse

MeSH Terms

Humans
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Recurrence
Sprains and Strains
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

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