Prolonged out-patient chemotherapy of pulmonary tuberculosis in West Africans following short-term hospital treatment

An investigation has been undertaken to determine the effectiveness of out-patient chemotherapy (using isoniazid and PAS) following a short period of hospital treatment (using streptomycin combined with isoniazid, or streptomycin combined with isoniazid and PAS). The combinations used were reasonably effective in improving clinical condition and radiographic appearances, and in clearing tubercle bacilli from the sputum. In respect of bacteriological state and the behaviour of cavities, those commencing treatment with a triple drug combination improved to a greater extent in the early months. Reasons are given for the belief that there are serious and possibly dangerous limitations to the usefulness of oral chemotherapy of out-patients, when applied over a prolonged period, under existing conditions in West Africa. © 1961, Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.