It is essential before starting treatment with first-line drugs to demonstrate that the strain causing the condition is susceptible to isoniazid and rifampin; nowadays, these results can be available in 24-48 hours by molecular methods, avoiding the delay associated with phenotypic methods.
Although the reduction from 24 to 6 months is significant, it is still a very prolonged treatment that favors the loss of follow-up. Unfortunately, attempts to reduce the duration to four months by the addition of fluoroquinolones did not have favorable results, and the recommended length is still six months.
The most recent recommendations of the WHO include the daily administration of the drugs for six months (instead of intermittent administration during the last four months of the regimen) and the administration of the four drugs in a combined fixed dose presentation.
Total Pages: 106-114 (9)
Purchase Chapter
Book Details