Paradoxical Reaction of Tuberculosis in a Heart Transplant Recipient During Antituberculosis Therapy: A Case Report

Introduction

Tuberculous paradoxical reactions (PRs) are excessive immune reactions occurring after antituberculosis (TB) treatment and are commonly observed in immunocompromised hosts such as patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Application of serum PSA to identify acute bacterial prostatitis in patients with fever of unknown origin or symptoms of acute pyelonephritis

BACKGROUND: Exclusion of prostatitis in screening for prostate cancer (Cap) is a matter of concern in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era. Yet, the identification of acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP), intentionally utilizing PSA in patients with pyrexia has been scarcely reported. METHODS: In total, 39 men, who presented at our department with a fever higher than 38.3 degrees C, were randomly selected. We investigated the fraction of patients who had serum PSA levels higher than 4.0 ng/ml and categorized them according to an initial diagnosis of pyelonephritis, ABP, other urogenital infections, and fever of unknown origin (FUO). RESULTS: Six of nine cases initially diagnosed as pyelonephritis, presented with elevated PSA levels between 9.5 and 75.1 ng/ml. All six cases of clinically diagnosed prostatitis had PSA elevated between 4.1 and 13.6 ng/ml. In 8 of 18 FUO cases, PSA was elevated between 5.1 and 77.0 ng/ml. PSA levels significantly correlated with age (P < 0.005). All 20 patients with elevated PSA received antibiotics, and serum PSA was significantly reduced in all cases (P < 0.001) together with the alleviation of fever and normalization of CRP. CONCLUSIONS: PSA is a prompt and steady diagnostic tool for identifying ABP that might be missed or misdiagnosed. We recommend the measurement of PSA in cases not only with urologic infection but also puzzling pyrexia.     

54例非结核分枝杆菌感染者对二线抗结核药的耐药分析

目的：观察分析非结核分枝杆菌（NTM）的耐药情况。方法收集本院分枝杆菌培养阳性并鉴定为非结核分枝杆菌的病例,并对其药效结果进行分析。结果320例分枝杆菌培养阳性病例中,54例为非结核分枝杆菌,占16.9%,对二线抗结核药物阿米卡星（AK）,卷曲霉素（CPM）,对氨基水杨酸钠（PAS）,莫西沙星（MFX）,左氧氟沙星（LFX）和丙硫异烟胺（TH1321）均有不同程度的耐药,耐药率高达87.0%,且大多数呈现多耐药。结论非结核分枝杆菌对抗结核药呈现耐药现象,故临床用药困难,对临床抗结核治疗效果不佳或疑似NTM肺病的患者应及早做痰培养、菌型鉴定及药物敏感试验并寻求其他有效的治疗方法。     

Laparoscopic diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis

Background The value of laparoscopy in diagnosing peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) is well described by gastroenterologists but infrequently by surgeons. This report describes a single surgeons experience with laparoscopic diagnosis of peritoneal TB.Methods A total of 21 consecutive patients with peritoneal TB diagnosed at laparoscopy from January 1995 to December 2002 were prospectively reviewed. Their clinical data, laparoscopic findings, and outcome are described.Results There were 11 females and 10 males; the mean age was 36.6 years. Fever (81%) and ascites (66.7%) were the most common clinical features. Laparoscopy under general anesthesia was successful in all patients, and there was no laparoscopy-related mortality. Histology confirmed TB in 17 patients; the remaining four had nonspecific inflammation. All had satisfactory response to anti-TB therapy except one patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, who died after initiation of treatment.Conclusions Laparoscopy is safe and readily establishes the diagnosis of peritoneal TB.     

Diagnosis and treatment for tuberculosis infection in liver transplant recipients: case reports

AIM: Tuberculosis (TB) infection after liver transplantation was described, diagnosed and treated herein. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of 2 cases of TB infection posttransplantation. RESULTS: Mycobacterium TB infection occurred in 2 of 110 (1.8%) patients undergoing liver transplantation between 2001 and 2006. Pyrexia, poor appetite, and weight loss were common presentations. The diagnosis was confirmed using lymph node biopsy and treated with standard antituberculous agents. One patient was suspected of having TB infection by clinical presentation, and tentative anti-TB drugs were used. The duration of treatment was 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis and treatment are important in these patients. Careful monitoring of liver function and immunosuppressant levels are essential for patients who receive standard anti-TB drugs.     

Antibiotic-induced neurotoxicity in dialysis patients: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: The study was to evaluate neurotoxicity caused by antibiotics in dialysis patients, including incidence, clinical features, treatments and prognosis. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of 1066 dialysis patients (254 peritoneal dialysis [PD] cases and 812 hemodialysis [HD] cases) who also received intravenous antibiotics in our hospital during July 2006 – April 2012. Naranjo scale was used for estimating the probability of an adverse drug reaction. Results: The incidence of antibiotic-induced neurotoxicity was 5.66% in patients receiving HD, and 7.87% in patients receiving PD. There was no significant difference between the two dialysis modalities about the incidence of antibiotic-induced neurotoxicity (p?>?0.05). The risk factors included extremely old age, history of central nervous system disorder, low residual renal function, hypoalbuminemia, and the use of multiple antibiotics that share one mechanism. The neurotoxic antibiotics included cephalosporins, penicillins, carbapenems and quinolones in our study. Most patients could be properly diagnosed early according to their medical history, symptoms, signs, electroencephalography (EEG), other related auxiliary examination, and with the help of experienced neurologists. Most neurotoxic patients showed clinical improvement after the discontinuation of antibiotics and active treatment. Conclusions: The adverse neurotoxic effects of antibiotics were common in dialysis patients due to wide and incorrect usage. Neurotoxicity could be prevented in high-risk cases with dosage adjustments. Better prognosis can be achieved with early and proper diagnosis, decisive withdrawal, and aggressive treatment including enhanced HD.     

Eleven years of experience with dialysis associated tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in dialysis patients and to determine its clinical features and results of short-course (6 months) chemotherapy, mortality and risk factors of mortality. METHODS: The study included 48 TB patients among 330 patients on dialysis of whom 37 were on hemodialysis and 11 were on peritoneal dialysis at Security Forces Hospital in the period from October 1989 to October 2000. The diagnosis of TB was established by a combination of clinical, radiological, biochemical, microbiological and histological examinations. Treatment with anti-TB drugs, the results of therapy and the outcome of patients were noted. RESULTS: There were 32 males and 16 females with age ranges of 18 -89 (mean = 53.4) and 40 - 70 (mean 57.9) years, respectively. Their duration on dialysis ranged from 1 month to 10 years (mean = 26 months). The presenting clinical features were fever (32), cough (16), weight loss (9), and anorexia (7). The organ systems involved were pulmonary (23), peritoneal (15), lymphadenopathy (11), pericardial (4), bone TB (3), bone marrow (2), epididimo-orchitis (1), right infraclavicular chest wall cold abscess (1), right infrascapular cold abscess (1) and right renal mass (1). Single organ system involvement was noted in 36 patients, 2 systems in 10 patients and 3 systems in 2 patients. Two patients were treated empirically with good response. Evidence of tuberculosis was obtained from chest X-rays (23), bone X-rays (3), spinal MRIs (1), AFB (stain and culture) of sputum and fluid (15), ascitic fluid examination with exudate and raised adenine deaminase (ADA) levels (12), lymph node biopsy (8), pleural fluid examination with exudate and raised ADA levels (5), bone marrow aspiration (2), exudative pericardial fluid with raised ADA levels (2), nephrectomy and histopathology (1), dorsal spine biopsy (1) and laparotomy and biopsy ofperitoneum (1). Thirty-two patients received 4 anti-TB drugs: isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (Rif), pyrazinamide (Pyra) and ethambutol (Eth), 10 received 3 drugs (INH, Rif and Pyra or Eth), 2 received 2 drugs (INH + Rif) and a modified regimen was used in 3. The drug toxicities noted were hepatoxicity (5) and INH encephalopathy prior to the routine use of pyridoxine 100 mg daily (3), INH-induced SLE (1) and pyrazinamide-induced thrombocytopenia (1). The outcome of the patients was cured (35), expired (13), and 1 patient expired before starting therapy. Tuberculosis was not the direct cause of death in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of TB in dialysis patients is 26 times more common than in the general Saudi population and a high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and treatment. Extrapulmonary TB was noted in 52% of the patients. Short-course (6 months) chemotherapy is effective. INH-induced CNS toxicity is significant.     

恩替卡韦减轻肺结核合并乙型肝炎患者抗结核药肝损害的临床观察

目的探讨恩替卡韦对减轻肺结核并乙型肝炎患者抗结核药肝损害的作用。方法提前干预及与抗结核药物同步治疗及单纯抗结核药物治疗3组对比观察。结果 3组患者中,提前干预组发生肝损害发生率为10.7%(3/28),同步治疗组发生率为18.2%(6/33),单纯抗结核组发生率为51.4%(18/35),3组间差异具有统计学意义(χ2=15.215,P<0.01)。3组患者两两比较发现,提前干预组和同步治疗组肝损害发生率均明显低于单纯抗结核组(χ2=11.604,P<0.01;χ2=8.221,P<0.01),但提前干预组与同步治疗组肝损害发生率差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.000,P>0.05)。单纯抗结核组临床症状及肝损害发生率高,其肝功能恢复时间长且部分患者无法完成抗结核治疗。结论提前干预及与抗结核药物同步治疗对比单纯抗结核药物治疗,提前干预组肝损害发生率低,化疗完成率高,建议对肺结核患者合并乙型肝炎者提前使用恩替卡韦再进行抗结核治疗。     

Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Is Not Associated with Hyperkalemia in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Background.?Serious hyperkalemia was reported in 10% of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients that could lead to arrhythmia and death. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are well accepted for cardio-protective benefits. The relationship between renin-angiotensin system blockade (RASB) and hyperkalemia in chronic HD patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to find the relationship between RASB and hyperkalemia in these patients.?Methods.?Pre-dialysis serum potassium, clinical factors, and drugs were evaluated in 200 chronic HD patients in one HD center. Hyperkalemia was defined as serum K ≥ 5.3 meq/L. Finally, multivariate analysis with logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of hyperkalemia by RASB and other factors. Results.?In 200 patients, the mean K was 4.93 ± 0.79 meq/L, and 70 (35%) patients had hyperkalemia. Fifty-eight (29%) patients were prescribed with RASB. Seven variables—non-DM, longer HD duration, lower dialysate calcium, lower serum glucose, higher serum iPTH, not using RASB, and not using furosemide—were more frequent in hyperkalemia group. In logistic regression analysis, RASB was associated with decreased odds for hyperkalemia (OR 0.262, p = 0.001 in model A; OR 0.205, p = 0.001 in model B). In addition, furosemide was associated with decreased odds for hyperkalemia (OR 0.068, p = 0.022 in model B).?Conclusions.?RASB is not associated with hyperkalemia in chronic HD patients.     

ASDIN: Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Is it Needed for Dialysis Access Procedures?

Antibiotic prophylaxis has been employed to reduce the risk of infection. Many reports have documented the role of prophylactic antibiotics on the subsequent development of infection in patients undergoing surgical as well as a variety of percutaneous interventions including cardiac, vascular, biliary, genitourinary, and drainage of fluid collections. While prophylactic antibiotics can be critically important for certain procedures, their use can be associated with allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), development of bacterial resistance, and increased costs of medical care. In this analysis, we report the incidence of clinical infection following minimally invasive interventions for dialysis access procedures. Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients undergoing consecutive percutaneous interventions (n = 3162) for HD and PD access were included in this study. Procedure‐related clinical infection was defined as the presence of fever/chills, tenderness, erythema, swelling within 72 hours postprocedure. The procedures included percutaneous balloon angioplasty (arterial and venous) [n = 2078 (AVF = 1310; AVG = 768)], venography for vascular mapping (n = 110), endovascular stent insertion (n = 26), intravascular coil placement (n = 31), thrombectomy for an arteriovenous fistula (n = 106), thrombectomy for an arteriovenous graft (n = 110), tunneled hemodialysis catheter (TDC) insertion and exchange (n = 283), TDC removal (n = 160), and insertion of accidentally extruded TDC through the same exit site (n = 9). There were 260 peritoneal dialysis catheter insertions and 15 repositioning procedures. Only patients undergoing TDC insertion for accidentally extruded catheter and PD catheter placement received antibiotic prophylaxis within 1–2 hours before the procedure. Extruded TDC received 1 g of cefazolin while PD catheter insertion had 1 g of intravenous vancomycin. Povidone iodine was used for skin antisepsis in all cases. One patient (0.04%) postangioplasty and one patient (0.3%) after tunneled catheter placement developed clinical infection manifested by fever, chills, and malaise within 24 hours of the procedure. Both required hospitalization. Patient with angioplasty was a diabetic with an arteriovenous graft while TDC insertion was performed in a patient with advanced HIV. Percutaneous dialysis access procedure infections are generally low and might not warrant routine administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for all cases except for PD catheters and accidentally extruded TDC.     

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Early-Onset Tuberculosis After Liver Transplantation

BackgroundWe encountered some cases of early-onset tuberculosis (TB) after liver transplant (LT), leading to further transmission to other immunocompromised patients. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of early-onset TB after LT.MethodsAll adult patients with TB after LT from 1996 to 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Our hospital did not screen for latent TB infection (LTBI) in LT recipients because of concerns regarding the potential hepatotoxicity of anti-TB medication. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the TB onset time after LT: early-onset TB (≤2 months) and late-onset TB (>2 months).ResultsOf 4301 LT recipients, 91 patients developed TB after LT (2.1%). The median time from LT to TB development was 9.4 months. Of these 91 patients, 11 were classified as having early-onset TB (12.1%). Patients with early-onset TB had a greater pretransplant TB history than patients with late-onset TB (36.4% vs 11.3%, P = .048).ConclusionThis unusual early-onset TB was more common in patients with a pretransplant TB history, suggesting the possibility of missed TB or full manifestation of the indolent course of TB after LT. Therefore, LT recipients with a pretransplant TB history should undergo thorough screening for active TB and consider prophylaxis.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in renal transplant recipients

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection is more common among renal allograft recipients compared with the general population due to immunosuppression. The epidemiological risk in a country is an important determinant of transplant TB after transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed 283 renal transplant recipients who underwent renal transplantation between 1990 and 2004. We evaluated the incidence, patient and disease characteristics, prognosis, and outcome of TB infection. Tuberculosis developed in 10 (seven men and three women of mean age of 41+/-9 years) among 283 patients (3.1%). All patients were culture-positive for M tuberculosis. Although pulmonary TB was the most common presentation in the general population, 50% of patients in the study group developed extrapulmonary TB. The mean elapsed time from renal transplantation was 38 months. Three patients (1%) developed TB in the first year after transplantation. All patients were treated with a quartet of anti-TB therapy. One patient developed isoniazid-related reversible hepatotoxicity. No acute allograft rejection occurred during the anti-TB therapy. Two patients (20%) with pulmonary TB died due to dissemination of the disease. In conclusion, extrapulmonary presentations of TB are more common among renal transplant recipients with the increased risk of mortality.     

老年性脊柱结核的特点及保守治疗疗效观察

目的:探讨老年性脊柱结核的特点及单独应用抗结核药物治疗早期老年脊柱结核的疗效。方法:对2008年1月至2010年7月纳入选择标准的36例经单纯应用抗结核药物行保守治疗的老年性脊柱结核病例进行分析研究,其中男19例,女17例;年龄60～85岁,平均73.5岁。36例患者病灶均处于活跃期,血沉及CRP水平高于正常。治疗方法为联合用药(3HRZE/6-9HRE),疗程9～12个月。随诊通过观察结核症状、化验指标和放射学的影像变化以评价疗效并调整用药,通过视觉模拟评分(VAS)评价疼痛程度。结果:36例均获随访,时间8～24个月,平均15个月。其中31例患者化疗9～12个月结核病灶治愈,血沉及CRP恢复正常;4例(对利福平或异烟肼耐药)选用左氧氟沙星、对氨基水杨酸等抗结核药物化疗15个月后痊愈;1例患者结核症状加重,经手术治疗3个月后缓解,血沉及CRP恢复正常。影像学变化:治疗后X线及CT示椎体骨质硬化、融合,未见明显后凸畸形,1例手术患者植骨融合,未见内固定松动。治疗前及末次随访时Cobb角分别为(17.6±2.3)°、(18.1±2.7)°(P>0.05);MRI示椎旁脓肿吸收,椎体炎症消退。VAS评分治疗前为6.5±1.7,末次随访时为1.4±0.5(P<0.05)。7例患者出现药物不良反应,通过暂时停药并配以对症药物治疗后恢复正常。结论:对于早期老年脊柱结核病例,在严格的督导下单纯应用抗结核药物行规范的个体化保守治疗可获得满意的效果。     

High Jejunal Perforation Complicating Tuberculous Abdominal Cocoon: A Rare Presentation in Immune-Competent Male Patient

Background  Tuberculosis (TB) peritonitis is a rare presentation of TB that is typically insidious, presenting with systemic symptoms and nonspecific abdominal pain. In the majority of the cases, this leads to bowel obstruction and rarely causes abdominal cocoon. The disease process predominantly affects the small bowel with a tendency to involve the terminal ileum, leading to perforation on rare occasions. Methods  We are presenting a case report of multiple small-bowel perforations in immune-competent male patient complicating a TB cocoon and discuss clinical course and therapeutic options. Discussion  TB cocoon is a rare form of TB peritonitis presenting usually in the form of bowel obstruction. However, TB can cause multiple bowel perforations, particularly in children and immune-compromised patients. Such presentation carries a high rate of mortality. With the global increase in TB infections and the emergence of aggressive, multidrug-resistant strains, more severe manifestations are expected to increase. We presented a case of such severe acute manifestation on a background of insidious TB cocoon in a fit immune-competent male. Although primary repair of TB perforation is considered hazardous, it could not be avoided on this occasion. Nevertheless, proximal defunctioning jejunostomy and the early use of anti-TB drugs seemed to facilitate healing in such scenario. Conclusions  TB should be considered in all cases of atypical bowel perforations. Proximal jejunostomy and early use of anti-TB drugs can facilitate primary repair in aggressive TB infection with multiple bowel perforations.     

Total Hip Arthroplasty in 52 Active Advanced Tubercular Arthritic Hips

BackgroundThe role of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in healed tuberculosis (TB) of the hip has been reported with success in the past. However, the role and success of THA in active TB of the hip has remained controversial.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a prospective study of 52 THAs done for active TB of the hip in 51 patients. The protocol includes 3-6 months of effective preoperative and 9-18 months postoperative anti-TB therapy. All THAs were performed by the same surgeon (author 1). The selection criteria excluded patients with poor immunity, HIV +ve patient, and presence of discharging sinus. The type of THA implant includes 12 cemented, 38 uncemented, and 2 hybrid fixations.ResultsThe mean follow-up was 10.5 years (2-29). Six patients were (6 THAs) lost to follow up after 4 years, including 2 deaths unrelated to TB or THA. There was no reactivation of TB. Mean Harris Hip Score improved from preop 31.77 (20-51) to postop 88 (72-100) in the last follow-up. Two patients had delayed wound healing up to 21 days postop with no evidence of subsequent episode till last follow-up. There was no case of dislocation, neurological complication in any patient. Seven THAs underwent revision for aseptic loosening unrelated to TB.ConclusionSingle-stage THA is safe in active advanced tubercular arthritic hips with good immunity status under cover of effective anti-TB therapy using strict preop selection protocol.     

The Affecting Factors and Comparison of Tuberculin Skin Test in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

Compared with the general population, patients with chronic renal failure have increased tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to investigate tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity rates in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the factors influencing TST positivity. Ninety-two HD patients and 44 PD patients who had been on HD and PD treatment for at least 3 months were recruited into the study. TST was administered in all patients. Positivity was defined as an induration diameter >10 mm. At least 5 mm of induration following skin testing together with a chest radiography indicating previous infection was defined as latent TB infection. TST positivity rates, diameter of TST indurations, and serum albumin levels in HD patients were higher than the PD patients. TST induration size was not correlated with any other parameters in both HD and PD groups. TST-positive patients had higher albumin levels and lower leukocyte count than the TST-negative patients. In TST-positive patients, albumin level was correlated with the duration of dialysis but TST induration size was not correlated with the lymphocyte count and albumin level. In our study, TST positivity of patients was found in 30.4% of HD patients, 9% of PD patients, and 23.5% of total patients. It is still recommended to use TST for the screening test of TB. We found a significant relationship between TST and albumin level. It should be remembered that TST response may be lower in PD patients, especially in cases in which TB is suspected.     

Urgent Living-Donor Liver Transplantation in a Patient With Concurrent Active Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Background

Although active tuberculosis (TB) is considered a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT), this is the only treatment in patients with liver failure and concurrent active TB. We report a case with successful urgent living-donor LT for irreversible liver failure in the presence of active TB.

Urinary tuberculosis: a cohort of 79 adult cases

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, diagnostic, treatment and outcome features of patients with urinary tuberculosis (UTB). Patients with UTB admitted to seven separate centers across Turkey between 1995 and 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnosis of UTB was made by the presence of any clinical finding plus positivity of one of the following: (1) acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in urine, (2) isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, (3) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for M. tuberculosis, (4) histopathological evidence for TB. Seventy-nine patients (49.36% male, mean age 50.1?±?17.4 years) were included. Mean time between onset of symptoms and clinical diagnosis was 9.7?±?8.9 months. The most common signs and symptoms were hematuria (79.7%), sterile pyuria (67.1%), dysuria (51.9%), weakness (51.9%), fever (43%) and costovertebral tenderness (38%). Cystoscopy was performed in 59 (74.6%), bladder biopsy in 18 (22.8%), kidney biopsy in 1 (1.26%) and nephrectomy in 12 (15.2%) patients. Histopathological verification of UTB was achieved in 12 (63.1%) patients who undergone biopsy and in 100% of those undergone nephrectomy. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in the urine of 50 (63.3%) cases. Four-drug standard anti-TB treatment was the preferred regimen for 87.3% of the patients. Mean treatment duration was 10.5?±?2.7 months. Deterioration of renal function occurred in 15 (18.9%) patients two of whom progressed to end-stage renal disease and received hemodialysis. Only one patient died after 74-day medical treatment period. Cases with UTB may present with non-specific clinical features. All diagnostic studies including radiology, cyctoscopy and histopathology are of great importance to exclude UTB and prevent renal failure.     

Adverse events and treatment interruption in tuberculosis patients with and without HIV co-infection

BACKGROUND: Serious treatment associated adverse events are thought to occur more frequently in individuals with tuberculosis (TB) who are co-infected with HIV. A study was undertaken to assess the frequency of serious (grade III/IV) adverse events and interruption of anti-TB treatment in the era of effective antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: The incidence of serious adverse events was retrospectively compared in 312 individuals treated for TB, 156 of whom were co-infected with HIV. RESULTS: 111 HIV infected individuals (71%) received highly active antiretroviral therapy at the same time as anti-TB treatment. Serious adverse events were recorded in 40% HIV infected and 26% HIV uninfected individuals (p = 0.008). Peripheral neuropathy and persistent vomiting were more common in co-infected patients (p<0.001; p = 0.006), although all cause interruption of anti-TB treatment occurred with similar frequency in the two groups (13% in HIV infected patients and 15% in HIV uninfected patients; p = 0.74). In 85% of HIV infected patients and 87% of HIV uninfected individuals this was due to hepatotoxicity, which typically presented within 2 months of starting treatment. The median delay in restarting treatment was 4 weeks, so most individuals required full TB re-treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite a greater rate of serious (grade III/IV) adverse events among HIV infected individuals, discontinuation of anti-TB treatment occurred with a similar frequency in HIV infected and HIV uninfected individuals.