Abstract: Objective To understand the therapeutic effect and chemotherapy course of intermittent unfixed course regimen with which the initial smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases were treated. Methods 440 cases of initial smear positive pulmonary TB cases were selected and divided randomly in the new regimen group and the old regimen group. The TB cases in the new regimen group were treated with the intermittent unfixed course chemotherapy regimen, (2～3)H ₃R₃Z₃S₃(E₃)/(2～6)H₃R₃. The ones in the old regimen group were treated with the 6 month intermittent chemotherapy regimen, 2H₃R₃Z₃S₃(E ₃)/4H₃R₃. Results The sputum conversion rates of the cases in two groups were 98.6% and 98.2% at the end of six months respectively. The relapse rates of one year were 1.5% and 2.0% respectively. There were not significant differences in all indexes between the two groups ( P >0.05). The average course of the new regimen group was 4.8 months. It is 1.2 months shorter than the olds. Conclusion The initial smear positive pulmonary TB cases that were treated with the intermittent unfixed course chemotherapy regimen had achieved the same effects as with the fixed one. The unfixed course method can shorten the course of the fixed course method. It posses the characteristics of less cost of patient’s and the patients are easy to cooperate with the doctor.

Key words: Tuberculosis,Pulmonary/chemotherapy, Unfixed course Regimen