The duration of the treatment for tuberculosis has become shorter than before, because of the extensive use of Rifampicin (RFP) and Isoniazid (INH) together with Streptomysin or Ethambutol in advanced cases.
However, many adverse reactions of these drugs were often experienced.We analyzed the side effects by serological and hematological examinations.
One hundred and sixty male and eighty six female patients treated for tuberculosis and nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis were subjected to the present study.
Fifty five patients (22.4%) developed the elevation of transaminase levels more than 50mIU/ml. Among these patients, 11, 6 and 4 patients revealed abnormal values of ALP, LDH, gamma-GTP, respectively. High transaminase levels were often shown in men, but the patients with particularly high transaminase levels (more than 200mIU/ml) were often seen in women. Forty patients (16.3%) showed eosinophilia over10%in hemogram. Leucocytosis over 10, 000/mm³ were seen in 11 patients (4.5%), and leucopenia under 3, 000/mm³in 10 patients (4.1%). High uric acid level was seen in11patients (4.5%), and urea nitrogen and/or creatinine increased in 8 patients (3.3%).
We experienced one lethal case due to hepatotoxicity during treatment.
These results suggested that we need careful observations for adverse reactions in antituberculous treatment.