[Immunotherapeutic effect of Mycobacterium vaccae on multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immuNotherapeutic effect of M. vaccae on multi-drug resistant (MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS 90 cases of MDR pulmonary tuberculosis with bacteriological positive were divided into immunotherapy (M, 28 cases), control (C, 28 cases) group at random pair and self control (S, 34 cases) group. The group M were treated by chemotherapy and M. vaccae for 6 months, the group C only treated by chemotherapy for 6 months, while group S only by chemotherapy in the first 3 months and in combination with M. vaccae in the next 6 months. RESULTS After 6 months, the sputum negative conversion rates of group M were 43% in smear positive cases and 46% in culture positive cases, both of which were significant higher than those of group C (21%, 18%, P < 0.01). The sputum negative conversion rates of group S were 3%, 3% in smear and culture positive cases after 3-month chemotherapy, which increased to 44%, 41% respectively when M. vaccae was added for 6 months. Compared with group C, group M was better in improving of X-ray manifestation and cell-mediated immunity and closing of cavity (P < 0.05). The bacteriological relapse rates in group M, C, S were 8%, 20% and 7% respectively. CONCLUSION As a adjunct to chemotherapy, M. vaccae is helpful for patients with MDR pulmonary tuberculosis by improving the cell-medicated immunity, sputum negative conversion and X-ray manifestation.