Anti-tuberculous chemotherapy: 120 years on

Abstract

The last 120 years have witnessed the discovery of very effective drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis and the evolution of anti-tuberculous drug regimens to the present state where the disease can be cured with the use of 4 or more drugs given for 6 - 12 months provided the drugs are taken regularly and for long enough. The DOTS strategy makes this possible. With this development the outlook for the TB patient has markedly improved and the prospect for the worldwide control of this rampant and dreadful disease is bright. However certain obstacles have to be overcome before this prospect can be fully realised. These include poverty and poor living conditions, the scourge of HIV/AIDS and the inefficient use of anti-tuberculous drugs.

Key Words: Tuberculosis, chemotherapy, poverty, HIV/AIDS

Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(3) 2004: 116-119