Effectiveness of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis for HIV-infected drug users at high risk for active tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE

To define the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis, outside of a clinical trial setting, in preventing tuberculosis among tuberculin-reactive and anergic HIV-infected drug users at high risk of developing active tuberculosis.

DESIGN

An observational cohort study.

SETTING

Methadone maintenance treatment program with on-site primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

Current or former drug users enrolled in methadone treatment.

INTERVENTIONS

Annual skin testing for tuberculosis infection and anergy was performed, and eligible patients were offered daily isoniazid for 12 months and followed prospectively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The development of active tuberculosis.

RESULTS

A total of 155 persons commenced chemoprophylaxis. Among tuberculin reactors, tuberculosis rates were 0.51 and 2.07/100 person-years in those completing 12 months versus those not taking prophylaxis [rate ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06-1.01]. Among anergic individuals, comparable rates were 0 and 1.44/100 person-years. Lower tuberculosis rates among completers were not attributable to differences in immune status between the treated and untreated groups.

CONCLUSION

The completion of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis was associated with a marked reduction in tuberculosis risk among tuberculin reactors and anergic persons in this high-risk population. These data support aggressive efforts to provide a complete course of preventative therapy to HIV-infected tuberculin reactors, and lend weight to the findings of others that isoniazid can reduce the rate of tuberculosis in high-risk anergic HIV-infected persons.