Short-course chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Points of interest

A build-up of numbers of tuberculosis patients who default at an early stage from the ambulatory intensive short-course chemotherapy routinely practised in the Combined Health Scheme of the Divisional Council of the Cape is bringing to light the bactericidal power of a four-drug, rifampicin-containing regimen. Within the range of 40-80 daily doses, all is by no means lost if the patient defaults.