I. Donomae, Kazuo Yamamoto
Apr 1, 1966
Citations
2
Influential Citations
40
Citations
Journal
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Ethambutol,' a dextro-rotary isomer of 2,2'-(ethy1enediimino)-di-lbutanol, developed by Lederle Laboratories is specifically effective against mycobacteria.1-6 I t has been demonstrated to be able to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis uar. horninis at concentrations of 1 to 5 pg./ml. in ~ i t r o ~ * ~ and also to have no cross-resistance with other primary antituberculosis drugs and secondary antituberculosis The drug has been found effective in experimental tuberculosis in animal^,'^-^^ and its effectiveness in clinical studies's-22 has also been reported. Clinical investigations with ethambutol in pulmonary tuberculosis were started by the authors in March, 1963. The object of the investigations was to study the therapeutic effectiveness and toxicity of ethambutol clinically. In the initial treatment of pulmonary tuberculous cases, comparative studies were performed with three different dosage regimens: ethambutol 25 mg./ kg.-isoniazid, ethambutol 12.5 mg./ kg.-isoniazid, and PAS-isoniazid. In retreatment cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, comparative studies were made with three dosage schedules-1 gram of ethambutol by itself every day, or every other day and with a combination of conventional antituberculosis drugs without ethambutol. Results of our studies conducted during the period from March, 1963 to July 10,1965, are presented in this paper. In retreatment cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, a fourth therapeutic regimen was started in March, 1965, consisting of the combined use of ethambutol, isoniazid, and a third antituberculosis drug that had not been used previously. Studies employing this treatment are currently under way, and only those results noted up to July 30 are presented in this paper.