ABSTRACT
This study was carried out on 150 patients with newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis. They were divided into 3 comparable groups [each containing 50 patients] in order to detect the actual effect of immunostimulant [Levamisole] on cell mediated immune response [E. Rossette and blastoid transformation] and consequently in the period of infection and relapse of tuberculosis. Group [A] received [streptomycin, INH and ethambutol] plus levamisole. Group [B] treated with the same standard regimen taken by group [A] but without levamisole. Group [C] received the expensive regimen in the form of rifampicin, INH, and ethambutol. The mean of sputum conversion was 34.9 +/- 5.1 days in group [A], 51.55 +/- 11.5 days in group [B] and 35.9 +/- 3.19 days in group [C] i. e. the period of infectivity is less in levamisole treated group. The incidence of relapse rate was 0% in group [A] and [C] and 2% in group [B]. The mean E. rosette formation and blastoid transformation in group [A] 3 months after therapy were statistically highly significant than that before the start of therapy [P<0.005]. On the other hand, in group [B] and [C] no significant changes in E rosette formation and blastoid transformation could be detected 3 months after therapy. It could be concluded that the conventional regimen plus levamisole equals the expensive regimen containing rifampicin as regard the effect on decreasing the period of infectivity and relapse. Hence, the use of conventional regimen plus levamisole could be a satisfactory cheap antituberculous regimen in economically developing countries