Outcome of the treatment of culture negative tuberculosis (respiratory and non-respiratory): Blackburn 1996-2000.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the outcome of treating patients without culture confirmation of tuberculosis, with a regimen of two months of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol followed by four months of isoniazid and rifampicin (2HRZE/4HR) in a setting with a rate of isoniazid resistance of 7.5% in culture confirmed cases.


METHODS
Tuberculosis patients treated in the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley districts of the UK between 1996 and 2000 inclusive.


METHODS
Patients from a detailed prospective clinical and epidemiological data base for all tuberculosis patients were studied for the years 1996-2000.


RESULTS
One hundred and fourteen cases, all but two of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin, without culture confirmation had received 2HRZE/4HR. Twenty had pulmonary, 55 other respiratory and 39 non-respiratory tuberculosis. There was no bacteriologically confirmed relapse, 1 case was retreated as a clinical relapse.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of tuberculosis cases without culture confirmation with a regimen of 2HRZE/4HR gives highly acceptable results. The clinical relapse rate was 0.85% (1/114), and the cure rate 99.15%.
Ormerod
L P
LP
Chest Clinic, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, Lanes, BB2 3LR, UK. pandpormerod@hotmail.com
Green
R M
RM
Horsfield
N
N
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006113:United Kingdom
D000995:Antitubercular Agents