in the Therapy of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Previous studies have reported on clinical experiences of this service with streptomycylidene isonicotinyl hydrazine sulfate given intermittently in the therapy of pulmonary tuberculosis.1’ 2 A preliminary report in 1954 indicated that streptomycylidene isonicotinyl hydrazine sulfate given intramuscularly in doses of 1.4 grams twice weekly was comparable to regimens employing daily isoniazid and sodium para-aminosalicylic acid or intermittent streptomycin.3 At that time a significant initial advantage in the rate of apparent cavity closure appeared to exist in favor of the previously untreated group on intermittent streptomycylidene isonicotinyl hydrazine sulfate versus the no previous treatment group on daily isoniazid. When all patients were compared, daily isoniazid regimens showed a more favorable proportion of cultural conversions than the entire group on intermittent streptomycylidene isonicotinyl hydrazine sulfate therapy at 16 weeks and 24 weeks. Other differences in clinical effects, conversion of cultures and x-ray improvement, were found not significant. The present study is an extension of results previously reported. The number and duration of observations is more complete and more reliable statistically. All patients on intermittent therapy here reported had eight months or more of treatment. All others are excluded from statistical analysis.