Sister chromatid exchanges in the lymphocytes of tuberculosis patients receiving short-term chemotherapy

The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges was estimated in tuberculosis patients undergoing three different short term chemotherapy regimens (2SHRZ, 2HRZ and 2H₂R₂Z₂), to evaluate the possible genetic damage caused by anti-Tuberculous drugs. Of the three combinations studied, two combinations (2SHRZ and 2HRZ), which were administered daily, enhanced the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges significantly (p < 0.05), while the third bi-weekly combination 2H₂R₂Z₂), did not show any significant enhancement in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges. These results are of importance in the treatment of tuberculosis, and indicate the need to select a drug combination that is equally efficient in the control of disease and at the same time less harmful to the genome of the patient.