[The usefulness of the desensitization to rifampin in the treatment of mycobacterial disease in patients with AIDS].

BACKGROUND

Hypersensitivity reactions to rifampin are relatively uncommon, but they may result in cessation of therapeutic medications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report our experience with oral desensitization protocol to rifampin in a group of 35 HIV-positive patients with mycobacterial disease who had some hypersensitivity reaction to this drug.

RESULTS

Adverse reactions with this protocol were few and easily treated.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral desensitization to rifampin is safe and effective, allowing some of these patients (60%) to reintroduce the drug and to reduce the time of treatment.