Early bactericidal activity of high-dose rifampin in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis evidenced by positive sputum smears.
We studied the early bactericidal activity of twice the standard dose of rifampin in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis evidenced by positive smears. The observed mean 2-day activity was almost double that reported at the standard dose. Further studies are warranted to establish whether higher rifampin doses might assist in shortening tuberculosis treatment.
Diacon
A H
AH
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa. ahd@sun.ac.za
Patientia
R F
RF
Venter
A
A
van Helden
P D
PD
Smith
P J
PJ
McIlleron
H
H
Maritz
J S
JS
Donald
P R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012293:Rifampin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D012293:Rifampin