THE CHEMOTHERAPY OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS WITH PYRAZINAMIDE USED ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH STREPTOMYCIN, PARA-AMINOSALICYLIC ACID, OR ISONIAZID

Abstract

Pyrazinamide alone in dosages of 2.8 g daily is effective in treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, although for only a short period of time, and is mainly useful in tiding patients over an acute episode or in providing chemotherapeutic coverage during thoracic surgery. Streptomycin, 1 g twice weekly, or p-amino-salicylic acid, 12 g daily, with 3 g of pyrazinamide daily did not enhance the effectiveness of pyrazinamide or streptomycin. These combinations did not delay emergence of PAS-resistant or streptomycin-resistant tubercle bacilli. Pyrazinamide-PAS combination is not a satisfactory regimen for long-term chemotherapy. The pyrazinamide-isoniazid combination is recommended in treatment of tuberculosis, particularly in streptomycin-resistant cases.