[Severe immunoallergic reaction in a patient treated for two months continuously with rifampicin]

Presse Med. 1999 Nov 27;28(37):2037-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Background: Rifampicin is a major drug used for the treatment of mycobacterial infections. It is usually well tolerated although cases of immunoallergic events have been reported in discontinuous regimens.

Case report: We report the case of a 55-year-old man who developed a severe drug reaction after taking rifampicin daily for two months with no interruption. The clinical course was favorable after drug withdrawal. Challenge with other antituberculous drugs did not induce any adverse reaction.

Conclusion: Despite the few cases reported, antituberculous regimens containing rifampicin can cause severe adverse reactions which subside progressively after drug withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular / administration & dosage
  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular / adverse effects*
  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular / immunology
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Drug Eruptions / immunology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Eosinophilia / etiology
  • Eosinophilia / immunology
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rifampin / administration & dosage
  • Rifampin / adverse effects*
  • Rifampin / immunology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antitubercular
  • Antibodies
  • Rifampin