Recent Advances in Treatment of Organ Tuberculosis

The Use of Combinations of Antimicrobial Drugs

“…The addition of a second drug sometimes delays emergence of resistant strains. This effect has been demonstrated unequivo cally in chronic tuberculosis and is the basis for the combined use of isoniazid, aminosalicylic acid, and streptomycin (and occasionally other, non-cross reaction drugs) in that disease (24)(25)(26)(27). The same principle may apply to other chronic infections and is the basis for the recommendation that eryth romycin, novobiocin, streptomycin, or similar agents should not be given singly for prolonged periods because resistance to each drug is likely to de velop (28)(29)(30).…”

Central nervous system tuberculosis: a persistent disease

“…Most tuberculosis workers discount the value of intrathecal chemotherapy; 2s,29 INH (isonicotinic acid hydrazide), PAS (paraamino salicylic acid), and streptomycin remain the chief drugs for chemotherapy of central nervous system tuberculosis. 15,~, 28,29 Adrenal corticosteroids used together with antitubercular medication give good results in pulmonary tuberculosis 2~ and in tuberculous meningitis, 24,~9 by decreasing scarring and inflammation? Steroids reduce the incidence of hydrocephalus and cerebral edema, ~4 and can make a dramatic difference in the patient's state of consciousness and well-being.…”