title: The outcome of tuberculosis cases with persistent smear positivity at the end of extended initial phase.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To present the treatment outcome in tuberculosis patients with sputum smear positivity in the third month of category 1 treatment regimes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1024 patients with tuberculosis treated in Ministry of Health Sureyyapasa Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital from January 2004 to December 2005 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Categorization and appropriate treatment of tuberculosis was performed according the World Health Organization guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of overall 1024 patients, 655 (64%) were determined to receive category 1 treatment while sputum smear positivity was identified in 11 of them [2%; mean (SD) age: 46 (17.9) years] in the third month. Continuation phase treatment was initiated in these 11 patients. Sputum conversion was evident in six of 10 cases in the 4th month, in three cases in the 5th month and in one case in the 6th month. None had culture positivity after the 3rd month. Of 11 cases, 10 completed therapy with major drugs in six months and treatment outcome was cure. No relapse was identified after five years later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our data we recommend that the continuing phase should be started in cases with positive sputum smear at the end of the extended initial phase.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Chest Diseases, Sureyyapasa Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. aylinbabalik@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babalık
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Calışır
authors.forename: Nadi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bakırcı
authors.forename: Hülya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arda
authors.forename: Şule
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Kızıltaş
authors.forename: Korkmaz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oruç
authors.forename: Gülgün
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Çetintaş
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents