Short-course chemotherapy for silicotuberculosis

The use of short-course chemotherapy in silicotuberculosis in the goldmining industry in South Africa is described in a comparative trial of 94 cases of silicotuberculosis and two matched-pair control groups with pulmonary tuberculosis only. The theoretical and practical considerations of short-course chemotherapy are discussed. It is concluded that this is an effective means of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with silicosis as well as in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis only, irrespective of previous exposure to silica dust. There are no valid reasons why the basic tenets of short-course chemotherapy for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis should not apply in silicotuberculosis.