Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: response to treatment.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated clinical response and mortality rates in 18 HIV- negative patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.


METHODS
We obtained detailed data from our hospital on patients with multidrug - resistant tuberculosis defined as tuberculosis resistant at least to isoniazid and rifampicin. Therapeutic responses were evaluated by both microbiologic and clinical data.


RESULTS
From January 1985 to December 1990, 18 HIV-negative patients were identified and treated. One patient committed suicide 1 week after receiving antituberculous drugs. Of the 17 patients, 10 (58.8%) had clinical response as well as microbiologic response, 6 (35.3%) were persisters during 24 months of follow-up, and 1 (5.8%) died after 30 months of treatment. The median follow-up for the patients was 87 weeks (range, 24 to 212). For those who responded well, there was no relapse.
Saenghirunvattana
S
S
Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Charoenpan
P
P
Vathesatogkit
P
P
Kiatboonsri
S
S
Aeursudkij
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents