[Experience with using anti-TB preparations (rifabutin)]

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) treatment requires effective chemotherapy regimens.
• Monitoring treatment efficiency is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Rifabutin is an antibiotic used in some TB treatment protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the practical use and efficiency of a computer program for monitoring anti-TB therapy.
• To compare the efficacy of standard chemotherapy versus rifabutin-based therapy.
• To analyze rifabutin's effectiveness in subgroups based on patient characteristics and drug resistance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a computer program for treatment process monitoring.
• Compared clinical, microbiological, and laboratory criteria for treatment efficacy.
• Grouped patients into a control (standard chemotherapy) and an experimental (rifabutin) group.
• Analyzed subgroups based on therapy course, completion status, and multidrug resistance (MDR-TB).

Main Results:

• Rifabutin demonstrated statistically significant advantages in arresting bacterial discharge for primarily diagnosed patients, including those with multidrug resistance (MDR-TB), over at least 4 months.
• Patients receiving rifabutin showed improved outcomes in terms of bacterial discharge arrest.
• Disadvantages included a lack of clear indications and treatment term abuse in approximately 50% of cases, diminishing rifabutin's efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Rifabutin can be effective in specific anti-TB therapy scenarios, particularly for arresting bacterial discharge in drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant TB.
• Optimizing rifabutin's application requires clear treatment guidelines and adherence to prescribed durations to maximize its benefits.
• The use of computer programs aids in monitoring and analyzing anti-TB therapy efficiency across diverse patient populations.