A Control group (n=100) of patients recently treated with standard medication alone at this facility were selected by matching to Test patients by stage of disease, confounding conditions, gender, and alcohol consumption. Standard clinical and diagnostic methods were applied to determine baseline values and at the termination of the study. After a two-month period of intensive chemotherapy, cavity healing (primary measure) occurred in 98% of the Test Group, but only in 69% of the Control Group. Furthermore, the Ziehl-Neelson sputum test was negative in 100% of the Test group, but only in 88% of the Control group. Resolution of respiratory compromise was higher in the Test group (87%) than in the Control group (78%). Furthermore, supplementation with vitamin/essential nutrients resulted in a significant decrease in the frequency and severity of adverse events from chemotherapy; only 11% in the Test group experienced adverse events while 46% did so in the Control group. In conclusion, clinical efficacy of chemotherapy was enhanced significantly with adjunctive use of nutrient supplementation. In addition, micronutrient supplementation decreased the frequency and severity of adverse effects from chemotherapy.

Key Words:
Active tuberculosis, clinical, cavity healing, negative sputum smear, nutrient supplementation

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