[Severe systemic lupus erythematosus induced by isoniazide]

Adverse drug reactions in tuberculosis and management

BACKGROUND

Treatment of drug susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) requires regimens containing first line drugs (FLDs') whereas drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) are treated with regimens comprising combination of both second line drugs (SLDs') and few FLDs'. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs') to these anti-tubercular drugs are quite common as they are being used for longer duration. ADRs' may cause associated morbidity and even mortality if not recognized early. There are major concerns regarding treatment of DR-TB patients particularly with SLDs' in that they are expensive, have low efficacy and more toxic as compared to FLDs'. There may be a severe impact on adherence and higher risk of default and treatment failure affecting outcome overall if such ADRs' are not properly managed.

METHODS

A search strategy was adopted involving principal electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, Google and Google scholar) of English language articles from 1990 till now, using various terms in combination. All articles with resulting titles, abstract and full text, when available were read and kept for reference.

RESULTS

101 articles including 4 systematic reviews have been identified. The overall prevalence of ADRs' with FLDs' and SLDs' are estimated to vary from 8.0% to 85% and 69% to 96% respectively. Most ADRs' are observed in the intensive phase as compared to continuation phase. No difference in frequency of ADRs' was reported with intermittent or daily intake of anti-tubercular drugs. The occurrence of ADRs' may be influenced by multiple factors and may range from mild gastrointestinal disturbances to serious hepatotoxicity, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity peripheral neuropathy, cutaneous ADRs', etc. Most of ADRs' are minor and can be managed without discontinuation of treatment. Some ADRs' can be major or severe causing life-threatening experience leading to either modification or discontinuation of regimen and even mortality if not recognized and treated promptly.

CONCLUSION

Early recognition by active surveillance and appropriate management of these ADRs' might improve adherence and treatment success.

Isoniazid-Induced Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be induced by various medications, such as hydralazine, procainamide, isoniazid, methyldopa, chlorpromazine, quinidine, and minocycline. A patient was admitted complaining of fever with chills and rigor. After being diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis, the patient was given antituberculosis treatment. As the patient did not improve, detailed investigations were conducted, and elevated antinuclear antibody levels were found. The consulting physician diagnosed that the patient was suffering from SLE. As isoniazid is associated with an increased risk of developing SLE, it was suspected as the culprit drug. After withdrawing isoniazid from the antituberculosis treatment regimen, the patient improved and was discharged. Based on the WHO-UMC and Naranjo’s causality assessment criteria, an association between the reaction and isoniazid was deemed probable. The reaction was moderately severe (level 4b) according to the modified Hartwig and Siegel scale.

[Systemic lupus erythematosus induced by isoniazid: a rare complication to fear]

Le lupus induit est défini comme un syndrome lupique généralement cutanéo-articulaire secondaire à une exposition continue à un traitement et qui disparaît après arrêt de celle-ci. Nous rapportons deux cas de lupus induit par l'isoniazide. Il s'agissait de deux femmes âgées respectivement de 30 et 35 ans. Elles présentaient un lupus induit par l'isoniazide après un et deux mois de traitement d'une tuberculose ganglionnaire. La maladie s'est manifestée par des signes articulaires, une éruption cutanée, une leucopénie et une anémie. Les anticorps antinucléaires et les anticorps antihistone étaient présents dans le sérum des deux malades. L’évolution était favorable après arrêt de l'isoniazide et une corticothérapie per os. Les médicaments antituberculeux notamment l'isoniazide sont responsables d'effets indésirables fréquents. Le lupus induit doit être évoqué lorsqu'un patient présente un tableau clinico-biologique évocateur.

[Managing the adverse events of antitubercular agents]

Tuberculosis, an infectious disease which is curable by following a course of antibiotics, remains a major public health issue on a global scale. A therapeutic strategy has been standardised which calls for the use of four antibiotics. These are generally well-tolerated but, individually and in combination, frequently have undesirable effects. Isoniazid may cause hepatic toxicity and an also be an asue of peripheral neuropathy. Rifampin is a strong hepatic enzyme inducer and can be responsible for severe immunoallergic reactions in the case of interrupted treatment. Pyrazinamide sometimes results in severe hepatotoxicity. Ethambutol can be responsible for severe ocular toxicity. Both older antituberculous medications and new generation antibiotic medications used for the treatment of resistant bacilli can also be the source of adverse events. The treatment of tuberculosis is standardised but the decision to treat it is inseparable from the evaluation of possible side effects which require assessment prior to the initiation of therapy and close monitoring during treatment which includes ensuring that patients are aware of and vigilant for potential problems.This work describes the adverse events of different antibiotic medications so that, on an individual basis they can be anticipated and appropriately managed.