Full Description
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the major infectious diseases of mankind although drugs for its treatment have been available for nearly 60 years. The standard short-course 6-month regimen used since about 1980 has helped to save millions of lives, but co-infection with HIV has had a devastating effect on the epidemic, and multidrug-resistant TB is a growing problem, particularly in communities with a high incidence of HIV. Following the declaration by the WHO in the early 1990s that TB was a 'global health emergency', interest in TB research and the development of new drugs has increased significantly. This volume reviews anti-TB chemotherapy with the emphasis on the actions and pharmacology of existing drugs and the development and evaluation of new agents. A close look is taken at new research regarding our existing drugs by some of the best-known specialists in the field, and historical aspects of these agents are reviewed from a modern perspective. The prospects for the introduction of new drugs and different approaches of how to assess them in adults and in children are discussed in detail. Several papers address the problems associated with drug resistance, its spread and diagnosis. Compiled by two editors from Cape Town, which has a particularly high incidence of TB and is a centre of tuberculosis research, this publication is an indispensable reference for anyone involved in the management of TB either as a researcher, clinician or administrator, and those working in drug development.
Contents
Retrospectoscope; History of Drug Discovery: Early Evaluation Studies and Lessons Learnt from Them: Ahmad, Z.; Makaya, N.H.; Grosset, J.; Tuberculosis Treatment Trials Past and Present: Old and New Challenges: Nunn, N.; Present Treatment; The Rifamycins: Renewed Interest in an Old Drug Class: Burman, W.; Dooley, K.E.; Nuermberger, E.L.; Isoniazid Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy in Adults and Children: Donald, P.R.; Schaaf, H.S.; Recent Developments in the Study of Pyrazinamide: An Update: Mitchison, D.A.; Zhang, Y.; Experience with Phase III Clinical Trials of Antituberculosis Drugs and Regimens: Conclusions and Lessons for the Future: Jindani, A.; Fluoroquinolones in the Management of Tuberculosis: Singh, K.P.; Gillespie, S.H.; Current Standard Treatment: Vernon, A.A.; Tuberculosis Recurrence: Exogenous or Endogenous?: Williams, M. et al.; Second-Line Antituberculosis Drugs: Current Knowledge, Recent Research Findings and Controversies: Schaaf, H.S. et al.; Acquisition, Transmission and Amplification of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Muller, B. et al.; The Treatment of Tuberculosis in Children: Cruz, A.T.; Starke, J.R.; The Future; Issues and Challenges in the Development of Novel Tuberculosis Drug Regimens: Erondu, N.; Ginsberg, A.; Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Laboratory Susceptibility Testing: Bottger, E.C.; The Role of the Mouse Model in the Evaluation of New Antituberculosis Drugs: Nuermberger, E.L.; Current Issues in Tuberculosis Pharmacokinetics: Egelund, E.F.; Peloquin, C.A.; Pharmacological Considerations of Antitubercular Agents in Children: Goldman, J.L. et al.; Pharmacogenetics of Antituberculosis Drugs: Aarnoutse, R.; Interactions between Antituberculosis and Antiretroviral Agents: McIlleron, H.; Khoo, S.H.; Diabetes Mellitus and Tuberculosis Treatment: Ruslami, R.; van Crevel, R.; Early Bactericidal Activity of Antituberculosis Agents: Diacon, A.H.; Maritz, J.Z.; Donald, P.R.; Assessment of Whole-Blood Bactericidal Activity in the Evaluation of New Antituberculosis Drugs: Wallis, R.S.; Serial Sputum Colony Counting in Drug Development: Sloan, D.; Davies, G.; The Evaluation of New Antituberculosis Drugs in Children: McNeeley, D.F. et al.; A New Era in Tuberculosis Treatment: What Does the Future Hold?: Duncan, K.; Author Index; Subject Index.
