[Considerations on the results of initial chemotherapy in pulmonary tuberculosis]

The results of initial chemotherapy applied in 501 patients with secondary pulmonary tuberculosis hospitalized and treated between 1973 and 1978 are analized. At the end of the treatment the following results have been noted: 94.8% bacteriological negativation, and 5.2% of cases which had not been influenced by chemotherapy and had constantly presented Koch bacilli in their sputum. From the clinical and radiological viewpoints a persistence of cavitary lesions was noted in 12.1% of all patients, or in 22.4% of those who presented initially with cavities. In the surveillance period 7.5% of the patients again became positive, and another course of therapy solved the new positivity in 84.2% of those involved. A percentage of 95.2% global favourable results have been noted in the final stage of the therapy, and 4.8% failures. Relapses, and bacteriological failures were noted with a higher frequency in males, and are in direct proportion with the extension of the lesions and the severity of the clinical forms. Eighteen of the patients (3.6%) had a course which led to chronicization of the disease. The favourable results and the reduction to a minimum of the therapeutic failures could be obtained by a correct application of chemotherapy and dispensarization of the patients under control.