[New methods of chemotherapy also for extrapulmonary tuberculosis?]

The chemotherapy of all forms of tuberculosis is basically performed according to homogeneous principles. Different opinions exist within the extrapulmonary forms particularly with regard to the duration of the treatment. Here, the so-called long-term therapy is frequently still postulated with 18--24 months. But newly developed, highly effective antituberculotic medicaments do not only allow but actually demand a shortening of the time of treatment in interest of the patient. Apparantly rifampicin and also pyrazin amide are able to effect on the germs in rest -- the persisters. Up to now the last mentioned gave the actual rise for the long-term application. Under the notion short-term therapy on the one hand by the application of the preparations mentioned and on the other hand basing on the experiences in the medicamentous treatment of the pulmonary tuberculosis now in the same measure the possiblity of a total duration of the therapy of on an average twelve months develops for the extrapulmonary manifestations of tuberculosis. Here, the two-phase regime is preferred with a continuous application of medicaments lasting for three months and following controlled phase with intermitting application of antituberculotics twice a week. The duration of application for rifampicin in these cases should neither trandgress nor be below three months.