TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS WITH A COMBINATION OF ISONICOTINIC ACID HYDRAZIDES, STREPTOMYCIN AND PARA-AMINOSALICYLIC ACID

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Forty-one patients with tuberculous meningitis were treated with a combination of isonicotinic acid hydrazides and streptomycin and in many instances also with para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS). The dosage of these drugs and the duration of treatment varied considerably. In most instances the dose of the hydrazides was 10 mg/kg of body weight, streptomycin 1 g and PAS 6-12 g per day. Following the initial control of the meningitis, many of the patients were treated on an ambulatory basis. Of the 41 patients, 29 recovered and 12 died. The survivors were observed for periods ranging from 4 months to 4.5 years; most of them are in good general physical condition and have normal mentality. There were relatively few toxic reactions, and serious neurologic residua were encountered in four cases. Relapse occurred in two patients who responded satisfactorily to retreatment with combined medication. There was no recrudescence in any of the patients while they were receiving hydrazides, alone or in combination with other antituberculous drugs. In comparing the results in this series with those obtained in a previous study in which hydrazides alone were employed, there was no appreciable difference in outcome.