Tuberc Respir Dis.  1980 Sep;27(3):85-102. 10.4046/trd.1980.27.3.85.

A Study of Short Course Chemotherapy for Experimental Pulmonary Tuberculosis

• KMID: 2528876
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1980.27.3.85

Abstract

An experimentaI study with 62 guinea-pigs has been carried out to have a criticaI review of the short course chemotherapy of pulmonary tuberculosis by Rifampicin(RFP) plus Isoniazide (INH) combined' regime and INH single regime. 1) The infection was made by a transtracheaI administration of VU 2X 10⁴ mg of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv suspension deep into the Iung through a fine polyethylene tube to induce a primary pulmonary tuberculosis. 2) The cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis became negative without considerable difference between the chemotherapeutic regimens by the end of 9th week of treatment in the delayed treatment group, where it was given from 8 weeks after the infection, and by the end of 5th week in the group of early treatment where it was given from 5 weeks after the infection. 3) The histopathlogic changes were similar to the human tuberculosis with typicaI tubercles consisted of epitheloid ceIls and caseous necrosis. There were very little differences in the response of the treatments between each group showing visible calcification from 5 weeks bf the treatment. 4) Some of the acid fast baciIli were stiII visible in the Iesions of Iungs up to 11~16 weeks of the treatment irrespective of the treatment regimen, but not visible in the other organs. 5) The cumulative mortality rate after the infection without treatment was 60.8% up to 8 weeks. AIthough there were significant differences of the body weight and spleen index between the treated and the untreated controI group, there were no remarkable differences between each of various treatment groups In concuIsion. INH single and the INH+RFP comdined regime were very effective similary. However, the AFB were persisted in the Iesions of the Iungs and the pulmonary pathology unresolved after 16 weeks of the treatment. It should be carefully foIIowed for much Ionger period for a definite evaluation of the short coure chemotherpy. Since there were some differences in the respones of the treatment between the early and delayed treatment groups. the earIy diagnosis and treatment should be encouraged even in the short course chemotherapy with more strong drug regime.