Open AccessEarly Bactericidal Activity of High-Dose Rifampin in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Evidenced by Positive Sputum Smears
Author(s) -
Andreas H. Diacon,
R. F. Patientia,
Amour Venter,
Paul D. van Helden,
Peter J. Smith,
Helen McIlleron,
J. S. Maritz,
Peter R. Donald
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.01474-06
Subject(s) - sputum , tuberculosis , medicine , pulmonary tuberculosis , antibiotics , antibacterial agent , rifampicin , microbiology and biotechnology , gastroenterology , immunology , pathology , biology
We studied the early bactericidal activity of twice the standard dose of rifampin in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis evidenced by positive smears. The observed mean 2-day activity was almost double that reported at the standard dose. Further studies are warranted to establish whether higher rifampin doses might assist in shortening tuberculosis treatment.