Adverse events and development of tuberculosis after 4 months of rifampicin prophylaxis in a tuberculosis outbreak

A Case of Miliary Tuberculosis Complicated by Thyroid Involvement: Managing Rifampicin-Induced Thrombocytopenia With Rifabutin

This case report presents an unusual occurrence of miliary tuberculosis with thyroid tuberculosis in a 75-year-old male patient, who successfully completed the treatment with rifabutin after rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia. The patient has been suffering from diabetes mellitus and chronic heart failure, and had coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) just before being diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis. The patient had not been prescribed immunosuppressants and steroids. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans revealed multiple tiny nodules diffusely and equally distributed in bilateral lung fields. Subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques on the urine samples and culture of sputum demonstrated positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thus, we conclusively identified miliary tuberculosis and initiated treatment using anti-tuberculosis drugs. During treatment, the patient developed thyroid tuberculosis, resulting in an enlarged thyroid and hoarseness, but these symptoms improved with continued use of the anti-tuberculosis drugs. Moreover, regarding treatment, the rifabutin dosage was completed after changing drugs due to rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia. Notably, miliary tuberculosis is rarely complicated by thyroid tuberculosis as a paradoxical reaction, and the substitution of rifabutin for rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia is not fully studied. We present this case alongside relevant prior data for comprehensive clinical insight.

Treatment of Psoriasis Patients with Latent Tuberculosis Using IL-17 and IL-23 Inhibitors: A Retrospective, Multinational, Multicentre Study

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis has a major global impact. Immunocompetent hosts usually control this disease, resulting in an asymptomatic latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Because TNF inhibitors increase the risk of tuberculosis reactivation, current guidelines recommend tuberculosis screening before starting any biologic drug, and chemoprophylaxis if LTBI is diagnosed. Available evidence from clinical trials and real-world studies suggests that IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors do not increase the risk of tuberculosis reactivation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate psoriasis patients with treated or untreated newly diagnosed LTBI who received IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors and the tolerability/safety of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational, multinational study from a series of 14 dermatology centres based in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Brazil, which included adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis and newly diagnosed LTBI who were treated with IL-23 or IL-17 inhibitors between January 2015 and March 2022. LTBI was diagnosed in the case of tuberculin skin test and/or interferon gamma release assay positivity, according to local guideline, prior to initiating IL-23 or IL-17 inhibitor. Patients with prior diagnosis of LTBI (treated or untreated) or treated active infection were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 405 patients were included; complete/incomplete/no chemoprophylaxis was administered in 62.2, 10.1 and 27.7% of patients, respectively. The main reason for not receiving or interrupting chemoprophylaxis was perceived heightened risk of liver toxicity and hepatotoxicity, respectively. The mean duration of biological treatment was 32.87 ± 20.95 months, and only one case of active tuberculosis infection (ATBI) was observed, after 14 months of treatment with ixekizumab. The proportion of ATBI associated with ixekizumab was 1.64% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0-5.43%] and 0% for all other agents and 0.46% (95% CI 0-1.06%) and 0% for IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, respectively (not statistically significant).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of tuberculosis reactivation in patients with psoriasis and LTBI does not seem to increase with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors. IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors should be preferred over TNF antagonists when concerns regarding tuberculosis reactivation exists. In patients with LTBI considered at high risk for developing complications related to chemoprophylaxis, this preventive strategy may be waived before initiating treatment with IL-17 inhibitors and especially IL-23 inhibitors.

Clinical Characteristics of Active Tuberculosis Diagnosed After Starting Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Although rare, subclinical tuberculosis disease can be missed during evaluations for latent tuberculosis infection, and can manifest with symptoms during latent tuberculosis treatment. Among over 8000 patients treated for latent tuberculosis we found no evidence of acquired drug resistance, underscoring the safety of rifampin monotherapy for latent tuberculosis.

Rifampicin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and Short Review of the Literature

Thrombocytopenia may be associated with a variety of conditions and risks depending on its severity, ranging from mild epistaxis to life-threating bleeding. Many drugs or herbal remedies can cause thrombocytopenia by either inhibiting platelet production and/or enhancing their destruction from the peripheral blood mediated via an immunological mechanism implicating drug-dependent antibodies. The latter entity is called drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia: a life-threatening, under-recognised condition, which is often a diagnostic challenge. Rifampicin is a widely used, well-tolerated, and effective bactericidal drug. Adverse events, except for gastrointestinal effects, headache, skin rash, and pruritus, are uncommon. The authors herein report on a patient with isolated thrombocytopenia with a recent medical history of brucellosis on rifampicin and doxycycline. Thrombocytopenia was proved to be rifampicin-induced. Also presented is a short review of the literature on this rare subject, which should be of great importance to clinicians.

A multidisciplinary approach to the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease: a clinical perspective

INTRODUCTION

Management of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) can be encumbered by difficult diagnostic criteria and complex treatment decisions. As prevalence of this debilitating, often refractory, progressive lung disease increases globally, management must evolve beyond antimicrobials to encompass holistic and customized treatments coordinated by practitioners across various specialties.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to complement the recently updated NTM-LD treatment guidelines and expand current approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and disease management in a multidisciplinary dimension. The foundation of effective long-term management of NTM-LD is awareness of diagnostic criteria, individual patient risk factors, and the importance of managing underlying pulmonary and nonpulmonary comorbidities. The value of adopting all available pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment modalities with a patient-centered approach to address the needs of long-term patient care cannot be minimized.

EXPERT OPINION

This section, while acknowledging the limited advances in understanding of NTM-LD and the availability of newer diagnostic and therapeutic tools over the last decade, underscores the need for a programmatic approach to this chronic, debilitating pulmonary infection. This will not only lead to more comprehensive patient care with better outcomes, but will also inspire and activate robust networks of research and public health initiatives in this field.

Interferon-γ release assays or tuberculin skin test for detection and management of latent tuberculosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Use of an interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assay or tuberculin skin test for detection and management of latent tuberculosis infection is controversial. For both types of test, we assessed their predictive value for the progression of latent infection to active tuberculosis disease, the targeting value of preventive treatment, and the necessity of dual testing.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, with no start date or language restrictions, on Oct 18, 2019, using the keywords ("latent tuberculosis" OR "latent tuberculosis infection" OR "LTBI") AND ("interferon gamma release assays" OR "Interferon-gamma Release Test" OR "IGRA" OR "QuantiFERON®-TB in tube" OR "QFT" OR "T-SPOT.TB") AND ("tuberculin skin test" OR "tuberculin test" OR "Mantoux test" OR "TST"). We included articles that used a cohort study design; included information that individuals with latent tuberculosis infection detected by IFN-γ release assay, tuberculin skin test, or both, progressed to active tuberculosis; reported information about treatment; and were limited to high-risk populations. We excluded studies that included patients with active or suspected tuberculosis at baseline, evaluated a non-commercial IFN-γ release assay, and had follow-up of less than 1 year. We extracted study details (study design, population investigated, tests used, follow-up period) and the number of individuals observed at baseline, who progressed to active tuberculosis, and who were treated. We then calculated the pooled risk ratio (RR) for disease progression, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of IFN-γ release assay versus tuberculin skin test.

FINDINGS

We identified 1823 potentially eligible studies after exclusion of duplicates, of which 256 were eligible for full-text screening. From this screening, 40 studies (50 592 individuals in 41 cohorts) were identified as eligible and included in our meta-analysis. Pooled RR for the rate of disease progression in untreated individuals who were positive by IFN-γ release assay versus those were negative was 9·35 (95% CI 6·48-13·49) compared with 4·24 (3·30-5·46) for tuberculin skin test. Pooled PPV for IFN-γ release assay was 4·5% (95% CI 3·3-5·8) compared with 2·3% (1·5-3·1) for tuberculin skin test. Pooled NPV for IFN-γ release assay was 99·7% (99·5-99·8) compared with 99·3% (99·0-99·5) for tuberculin skin test. Pooled RR for rates of disease progression in individuals positive by IFN-γ release assay who were untreated versus those who were treated was 3·09 (95% CI 2·08-4·60) compared with 1·11 (0·69-1·79) for the same populations who were positive by tuberculin skin test. Pooled proportion of disease progression for individuals who were positive by IFN-γ release assay and tuberculin skin test was 6·1 (95% CI 2·3-11·5). Pooled RR for rates of disease progression in individuals who were positive by IFN-γ release assay and tuberculin skin test who were untreated versus those who were treated was 7·84 (95% CI 4·44-13·83).

INTERPRETATION

IFN-γ release assays have a better predictive ability than tuberculin skin tests. Individuals who are positive by IFN-γ release assay might benefit from preventive treatment, but those who are positive by tuberculin skin test probably will not. Dual testing might improve detection, but further confirmation is needed.

FUNDING

National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Foundation of Yunnan Province.

Experiences of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment for the North Korean Refugees

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing in immigrants. We aimed to investigate the current status of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment for North Korean Refugees (NKR) compared to South Koreans Contacts (SKC).

Methods

TB close contacts in a closed facility of SKC and NKR who underwent LTBI screening in a settlement support center for NKR were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Among tuberculin skin test (TST) ≥10 mm (n=298) reactors, the males accounted for 72.2% in SKC (n=126) and 19.5% in NKR (n=172) (p<0.01). The mean age was higher in South Korea (42.8±9.9 years vs. 35.4±10.0 years, p<0.01). Additionally, the mean TST size was significantly bigger in NKR (17.39±3.9 mm vs. 16.57±4.2 mm, p=0.03). The LTBI treatments were initiated for all screened NKR, and LTBI completion rate was only 68.0%. However, in NKR, LTBI treatment completion rate was significantly increased by shorter 4R regimen (odds ratio [OR], 9.296; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.159–20.774; p<0.01) and male (OR, 3.447; 95% CI, 1.191–9.974; p=0.02).

Conclusion

LTBI treatment compliance must be improved in NKR with a shorter regimen. In addition, a larger study regarding a focus on LTBI with easy access to related data for NKR should be conducted.

Initiation and completion rates for latent tuberculosis infection treatment: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Control of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an important step towards tuberculosis elimination. Preventive treatment will prevent the development of disease in most cases diagnosed with LTBI. However, low initiation and completion rates affect the effectiveness of preventive treatment. The objective was to systematically review data on initiation rates and completion rates for LTBI treatment regimens in the general population and specific populations with LTBI.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature (PubMed, Embase) published up to February 2014 was performed.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies on initiation rates and 83 studies on completion rates of LTBI treatment were found. These studies provided initiation rates (IR) and completion rates (CR) in people with LTBI among the general population (IR 26-99 %, CR 39-96 %), case contacts (IR 40-95 %, CR 48-82 %), healthcare workers (IR 47-98 %, CR 17-79 %), the homeless (IR 34-90 %, CR 23-71 %), people who inject drugs (IR 52-91 %, CR 38-89 %), HIV-infected individuals (IR 67-92 %, CR 55-95 %), inmates (IR 7-90 %, CR 4-100 %), immigrants (IR 23-97 %, CR 7-86 %), and patients with comorbidities (IR 82-93 %, CR 75-92 %). Generally, completion rates were higher for short than for long LTBI treatment regimens.

CONCLUSION

Initiation and completion rates for LTBI treatment regimens were frequently suboptimal and varied greatly within and across different populations.

Diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection

A small number of viable tuberculosis bacilli can reside in an individual with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) without obvious clinical symptoms or abnormal chest radiographs. Diagnosis and treatment for LTBI are important for tuberculosis (TB) control in public and private health, especially in high-risk populations. The updated 2014 Korean guidelines for TB recommend that tuberculin skin tests, interferon-gamma release assays, or a combination of the two can be used for LTBI diagnosis according to age and immune status of the host as well as TB contact history. The regimens for LTBI treatment include isoniazid, rifampicin, or isoniazid/rifampicin. However, results of drug susceptibility test from the index case must be considered in selecting the appropriate drug for recent contacts. Standardized LTBI diagnosis and treatment based on the new 2014 guidelines will contribute to the effective TB control in Korea as well as to the establishment of updated guidelines.

Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Children

Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is an effective way of preventing future cases of tuberculosis disease. We review pediatric and adult studies of LTBI treatment (isoniazid and rifampin monotherapy, isoniazid plus rifampin, isoniazid plus rifapentine, and rifampin plus pyrazinamide). Based upon this review and our pediatric experience, we can offer recommendations for routine (isoniazid) and alternative courses of therapy.