Streptomycin
The antibiotic streptomycin was discovered after isolation from the soil fungus Streptomyces griseus in 1943. Patient symptoms of tuberculosis often returned after a few months of treatment with streptomycin. (Selective resistance was building to the drug.) However, when patients were administered para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) combined with streptomycin, improvement was noted.
Isoniazid
In 1953, the significant discovery of isoniazid heralded the global “wonder drug” era for TB patients. As sanatorium treatment declined, the advent of antibiotic therapy led to a decrease in cases of the disease. By 1960, many sanatoria had closed and the combined antibiotic therapy of streptomycin, PAS, and isoniazid (given daily for a year) was declared a 100% success.
Rifamycin
Rifamycin (a rifampin derivative) development in 1957 was followed by pyrazinamide, ethambutol, cycloserine, and ethionamide as the antibiotics that served as “second-line” treatment.
Although the fear of transmission to other patients and staff members continued, hospitals were now able to care for patients formerly sent away from their homes and families for months (or years) of sanatorium care.
Pretomanid, Bedaquiline, and Linezolid
The newest wonder drugs are currently in use throughout the world, directed at the most drug-resistant TB.
