Intermittent Therapy for Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Patients

Bacteriologic recurrence was more common with 6 months of thrice-weekly anti-TB therapy than with 9 months of such therapy.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection among HIV-infected persons worldwide. Standard short-course chemotherapy (with daily treatment, at least during the intensive phase) is the preferred treatment. In India, thrice-weekly anti-TB therapy for 6 months is recommended. However, neither the optimal duration of therapy nor the efficacy of intermittent treatment is known. To explore these issues, researchers in that country conducted an open-label, randomized trial involving 327 HIV-infected patients with active TB. The patients had received no antiretroviral therapy, and none was given during the study.

Participants received thrice-weekly isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol, and pyrazinamide for 2 months, and the…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Intermittent Therapy for Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Patients

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Reviewing Author