PRESENT POSITION OF URINARY TUBERCULOSIS1

SUMMARY 1 The numbers of patients with urinary tuberculosis are greatly reduced, but new cases are still to be expected. 2 A history of previous tuberculosis is not so likely now. 3 The age incidence has changed and there are now relatively more patients over the age of 50 years. 4 Because of the change in age, streptomycin should be used with caution since toxic manifestations are more likely in the older patients. 5 The best drug in our results is still isoniazid, used in a combination of drugs, but good results are being obtained with ethambutol and Rifampicin. 6 The duration of chemotherapy should be 18 to 24 months. 7 Operation is still advisable in patients with advanced renal disease and a persistent positive urine after 3 months' therapy. 8 Bladder reconstruction operations are indicated in some. 9 The death rate due to tuberculosis is very small.