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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
Has directly observed treatment improved outcomes for patients with tuberculosis in southern Thailand?
Petchawan Pungrassami1, Søren P Johnsen, Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong
1Zonal Tuberculosis Centre, Yala, Thailand. ppetch@cscoms.com
Objective:
To validate the practice of directly observed treatment (DOT) and evaluate its effect on treatment outcomes.
Methods:
This follow-up study conducted in 24 districts in southern Thailand included 411 new, smear-positive, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients who started treatment between February and September 1999. Patients and/or their observers were interviewed about their actual DOT practice during the first 2 months of treatment. Treatment outcomes were evaluated at the end of the second month and at the end of treatment.
Results:
Of 411 patients, 379 were assigned to DOT but only 68 practised strict DOT for every dose during the first 2 months. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for 'no sputum conversion' and 'unsuccessful treatment' were 1.1 (95% CI 0.6-2.1) and 1.3 (95% CI 0.6-2.8), respectively, for those who practised strict DOT vs. the rest.
Conclusions:
Actual practice of DOT was quite different from what was intended at the assignment. Practice of strict DOT during the first 2 months was not associated with sputum conversion or treatment success in this study area.
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