[Paradoxical reactions induced by antituberculous drugs in non-HIV infected patients: a cases series of four patients and literature review].

INTRODUCTION

The features of paradoxical reactions (PR) that occurred in non-HIV infected patients treated with antituberculous drugs are diverse. We report four new cases of such PR and review the literature.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Were included all consecutive patients with PR that occurred in non-HIV infected patients who were treated for tuberculosis and followed-up in the department of internal medicine and infectious diseases between January 1st, 2009 and July 31st, 2010.

RESULTS

Three of the patients were male. Their median age was 28.5 years. Tuberculous locations were pulmonary (two instances) and extrapulmonary (three instances). Paradoxical reactions occurred after a median of 5.5 weeks after initiation of antituberculous treatment. The PR presented as hypercalcemia (n=1), spondylitis of the 9th thoracic vertebra (n=1), intracerebral tuberculoma (n=1), pericardial effusion (n=1) and adenitis (n=3). Lymphopenia was present in three patients. Three out of the four patients received corticosteroid. Outcome was favorable in three patients.

CONCLUSION

Pardoxical reactions are more common in patients who present with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Intracerebral tuberculomas and spondylitis may be asymptomatic. Prescription of corticosteroids remains controversial except for intracerebral tuberculoma.