Use of intermittent rifampin and pyrazinamide therapy for latent tuberculosis infection in a targeted tuberculin testing program.

BACKGROUND

To determine the rates of hepatotoxicity and treatment completion associated with intermittent rifampin and pyrazinamide (RZ) therapy for latent tuberculosis infection, we evaluated a cohort of patients from a targeted tuberculin testing site in Tennessee.

METHODS

From 4 February 2000 through 9 November 2001, a total of 423 patients with latent tuberculosis infection received directly observed preventive therapy (DOPT) with RZ given twice weekly for 2 months. Most of the patients were young, Hispanic males who had recently immigrated to the United States.

RESULTS

During treatment, hepatotoxicity developed in 29 patients (6.9%; hereafter referred to as "case patients"), and peak alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels that were >10 times the upper limit of normal were noted in 18 case patients. Of the case patients, 14 had asymptomatic hepatotoxicity, and 2 required hospitalization; none of the case patients died. Hepatotoxicity developed after the receipt of 12 doses in more than half of the case patients, and 4 case patients received all 16 doses. The risk of RZ-associated hepatotoxicity was independently associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07 per year; P=.01). In total, 352 patients (83.2%) completed RZ therapy. The strongest predictors for noncompletion of RZ treatment were the development of a clinical symptom (OR, 9.73; P<.001) and older age (OR, 1.08 per year; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the use of DOPT, intermittent dosing, and vigilant monitoring throughout therapy, RZ was associated with an unacceptable risk of hepatotoxicity.