Further Developments in Human and Bovine Antituberculosis Chemoprophylaxis with Isoniazid in Italy

¹ Carlo Forlanini Study Center and the Tuberculosis Clinic, University of Rome

1. Calves submitted to chemoprophylaxis after primary infection resulting from exposure to tuberculous cows acquired an immunity which protected them against a massive parenteral reinfection with bovine tubercle bacilli. This immunity corresponds to that obtained by BCG vaccination and is present even if the reinfection occurs six months after discontinuance of chemoprophylaxis.

2. Large-scale trials with chemoprophylaxis on human beings have been carried out in Italy since April, 1956. Chemoprophylaxis has been used in selected groups exposed to tuberculosis in households and schools. These groups include all tuberculin-positive children under five years and adolescents in families with a tuberculous background, especially when living with tuberculous individuals.

3. The procedure might be expected to be beneficial in adults who had had tuberculosis, in tuberculous subjects in order to avoid relapses, as well as in silicotic and siderotic miners.

4. Chemoprophylaxis should be integrated with antituberculosis vaccination and nonspecific prophylaxis which still are the bases of the prevention of tuberculosis.