Chemotherapy of tuberculosis

Drug treatment of tuberculosis is reviewed. Factors influencing the choice of antituberculosis agents and antituberculosis regimens are discussed. The advantages of two regimens are emphasized--isoniazid and ethambutol, and isoniazid and rifampin. Short-term and intermittent therapy, and retreatment of previous infections, are discussed. The toxicity of isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampin and streptomycin is summarized. Other topics are the use of second-line drugs (aminosalicylic acid, pyrazinamide, cycloserine and ethionamide), hospitalization of tuberculosis patients, chemoprophylaxis, follow-up of patients with isoniazid prophylaxis, and the use of corticosteroids.