To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a 6-month course of isoniazid ( INH ) in the prevention of clinical tuberculosis in anergic (having diminished or absent reactions to specific antigens) HIV-infected persons who are at high risk for tuberculous infection. A substantial number of HIV-infected persons are anergic, and thus do not respond to the only currently available diagnostic tool for tuberculosis infection (that is, the PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test). Many of these anergic persons are, however, infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and eventually develop reactivation tuberculosis, causing both individual illness and spread of infection to others in the community. This study examines the possibility of using INH prophylaxis (that is, for prevention) in anergic HIV-infected patients at high risk for tuberculosis as a means of decreasing the sharp rise in the incidence of tuberculosis due to HIV infection. INH is inexpensive and relatively safe, and thus may demonstrate an acceptable risk/benefit ratio as a medication that can be given over a limited period of time to a population suspected of having, but not proved to have, M. tuberculosis infection. If this study shows INH to be safe and effective in this setting, it could have a major effect on public health in this country.
A substantial number of HIV-infected persons are anergic, and thus do not respond to the only currently available diagnostic tool for tuberculosis infection (that is, the PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test). Many of these anergic persons are, however, infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and eventually develop reactivation tuberculosis, causing both individual illness and spread of infection to others in the community. This study examines the possibility of using INH prophylaxis (that is, for prevention) in anergic HIV-infected patients at high risk for tuberculosis as a means of decreasing the sharp rise in the incidence of tuberculosis due to HIV infection. INH is inexpensive and relatively safe, and thus may demonstrate an acceptable risk/benefit ratio as a medication that can be given over a limited period of time to a population suspected of having, but not proved to have, M. tuberculosis infection. If this study shows INH to be safe and effective in this setting, it could have a major effect on public health in this country. Patients are placed by a random selection process in either the INH or placebo group. One group receives INH plus pyridoxine hydrochloride ( vitamin B6 ) daily for six months. Patients in the other group receive placebo plus vitamin B6 daily for six months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
TREATMENT
Enrollment
600
UCLA Med Ctr
Los Angeles, California, United States
Community Consortium of San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Denver CPCRA / Denver Public Hlth
Denver, Colorado, United States
Hill Health Corp
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Wilmington Hosp / Med Ctr of Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Veterans Administration Med Ctr / Regional AIDS Program
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Louisiana Comm AIDS Rsch Prog / Tulane Univ Med
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Comprehensive AIDS Alliance of Detroit
Detroit, Michigan, United States
North Jersey Community Research Initiative
Newark, New Jersey, United States
...and 4 more locations
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.