The most recent research shows that a new combination of drugs to treat tuberculosis
could offer renewed hope in the fight against the disease by treating the
disease fast.
According to a study published in the Lancet, Phase II clinical trial
results found that the drugs could kill more than 99 per cent of patients' TB
bacteria within 14 days and could be more effective than existing treatments.
The results add to a growing body of evidence that the new regimen could reduce the treatment length by more than a year for some patients, especially those with the more stubborn form, Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB).
With all continents except Africa being on track to achieve a 50% decline in mortality by 2015, the shorter treatment period will be good news for countries struggling with the respiratory disease.
The study involved drug-susceptible patients with uncomplicated pulmonary tuberculosis who were admitted to hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa, between October 7, 2010, and August 19, 2011.
Patients were recruited from outpatient clinics and then admitted into hospital for the study duration. They were aged between18 to 65 years, with a body weight from 40 to 90 kg.
Patients with HIV infection participated if their CD4+ count was greater than 300, and were not on antiretroviral treatment.
After discharge, patients were referred to their local tuberculosis clinic to complete a standard course of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and returned for follow-up visits at the site of the research 14 days, 28 days, and 90 days after discharge.
The results add to a growing body of evidence that the new regimen could reduce the treatment length by more than a year for some patients, especially those with the more stubborn form, Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB).
With all continents except Africa being on track to achieve a 50% decline in mortality by 2015, the shorter treatment period will be good news for countries struggling with the respiratory disease.
The study involved drug-susceptible patients with uncomplicated pulmonary tuberculosis who were admitted to hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa, between October 7, 2010, and August 19, 2011.
Patients were recruited from outpatient clinics and then admitted into hospital for the study duration. They were aged between18 to 65 years, with a body weight from 40 to 90 kg.
Patients with HIV infection participated if their CD4+ count was greater than 300, and were not on antiretroviral treatment.
After discharge, patients were referred to their local tuberculosis clinic to complete a standard course of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and returned for follow-up visits at the site of the research 14 days, 28 days, and 90 days after discharge.
The regimen was
also found to treat the resilient forms of TB, especially multidrug-resistant
(MDR TB), and free of interactions with anti-retroviral drugs.
The next trial to
advance this regimen before it is available in the market is already underway.
The research was
funded by The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance).
Last year, Kenya
reported 106,083 cases of TB, a decrease of 4% compared to the cases reported
in 2009.
Kenya holds the
unenviable position of 13 out of 22 countries with a high TB burden globally,
with the disease taking its greatest toll among those aged between 15 and 44.
Source: Daily
Nation. 25th July 2012. Article by Joy Wanja Muraria
Dr Br Giuseppe
Gaido
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