Evaluation of Time to Detection of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> in Broth Culture as a Determinant for End Points in Treatment Trials

Abstract

Time to detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in broth culture was examined for utility as a treatment efficacy end point. Of 146 patients in a phase IIB trial, a decreased mean time to detection was found in 5 with treatment failure. Time to detection in an analysis-of-covariance model was associated with lung cavities, less intensive treatment, and differences in the bactericidal effects of treatment regimens.