[A comparative study of rifapentine treatment and three years follow-up on initial pulmonary tuberculous]

A clinical study about the efficacy of rifapentine in the treatment and 3 years' follow up on initial pulmonary tuberculous patient. Altogether 267 patients of initial pulmonary tuberculosis with positive smears were randomly divided into 3 groups; Group I with DL473 twice-weekly (2HE+L2/7H2L2), Group IIARFp twice-weekly (2HE+R2/7H2R2) and Group IIBRFP daily (2HRE/7HR) for controls. Results are: the conversion rate to smear negative are 96.0%, 96.4% and 97.1% respectively (P > 0.05); the sputum conversion rate by cultures are 98.0%, 95.7% and 96.4% respectively (P > 0.05). From X-Ray pictures, the treatment effect of Group I are similar to that of Group IIB. But in Group I with less side action were observed. The relapse rate of the three groups are 2.6%, 3.8% and 3.1% respectively (P > 0.05). From this investigation, we can draw a conclusion that the twice-weekly of rifapentine has at least an effect similar to rifampicin given daily. Further investigation of DL473 once weekly will soon be followed.