Efficacy and safety of short-term treatment with isoniazid and rifampicin for latent tuberculosis infection in lung transplant candidates.

BackgroundThe current recommendation for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in solid organ transplant candidates is isoniazid for 9months, but this treatment has the main problem of frequently reaching the posttransplant period. MethodsThis is the study of efficacy and safety of a 3-month regimen with isoniazid and rifampicin (3HR) in lung transplant candidates in the Reina Sofia Hospital in Cordoba. ResultsThree hundred and ninety-eight lung transplant patients were evaluated. Ninety-two (24.9%) had LTBI and just 22 received the 3HR treatment. One additional patient was treated because he had a history of previous incomplete treatment for active TB. None of the treated patients developed posttransplant tuberculosis compared to three of the 62 patients with LTBI who were not treated (4.8%). Three patients could not conclude the 3HR treatment (13%), but only two had adverse effects (8.7%). ConclusionsTreatment of LTBI in lung transplant candidates using a short course of 3HR appears to be effective and safe in preventing posttransplant TB in lung transplant recipients.