Trends in tuberculosis.

One of the major medical advances of the 20th century has been the discovery of anti-tuberculosis drugs capable of curing almost every patient suffering from the disease. The application ofchemotherapy in technically advanced countries has resulted in a spectacular decline of tuberculosis. In contrast, in developing countries there has been little improvement since mass chemotherapy has failed because of lack of money, medical and paramedical personnel and inadequate health education. Trends in tuberculosis have been ones of success and failure, and changing epidemiology. Recent research and progress in tuberculosis has been concerned mainly with the design and application of chemotherapy programmes suitably adapted to the widely differing medical, financial and social needs of different communities.