Comparison of different regimens with or without fluoroquinolone in isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis: A multicenter cohort study

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 18;17(8):e0273263. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273263. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

In 2018, the World Health Organization recommended a 6-month four-drug regimen (rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and levofloxacin) for the treatment of isoniazid-monoresistant tuberculosis. However, the regimen had very low certainty. This cohort study assessed the impact of fluoroquinolone use and initial baseline regimen on treatment effectiveness in isoniazid-monoresistant tuberculosis. This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 318 patients with isoniazid-monoresistant tuberculosis notified between 2011 and 2018 in Korea. Baseline regimens were classified into two groups, namely 6-9-month rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide (6-9REZ) and a combination regimen of 2-month rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and 7-10-month rifampicin and ethambutol (2REZ/7-10RE). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with positive treatment outcomes. Of 318 enrolled patients, 234 (73.6%) were treated with the 6-9REZ and 103 (32.4%) with additional fluoroquinolone. In a multivariable logistic regression model comparing the 6-9REZ and 2REZ/7-10RE groups, there was no difference in the odds of positive outcomes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.65-1.82). Addition use of fluoroquinolone was not associated with positive treatment outcomes in the whole cohort (adjusted odds ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval = 0.87-2.27); however, its additional use was beneficial in the 2REZ/7-10RE subgroup (adjusted odds ratio = 3.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.32-9.75). Both initial baseline regimens, 6-9REZ and 2REZ/7-10RE, were similarly effective. Shortening of the pyrazinamide administration duration with additional fluoroquinolone use could be a safe alternative for patients with potential hepatotoxicity related to pyrazinamide.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / adverse effects
  • Cohort Studies
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Ethambutol / therapeutic use
  • Fluoroquinolones / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Isoniazid / therapeutic use
  • Pyrazinamide* / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rifampin / therapeutic use
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Pyrazinamide
  • Ethambutol
  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Research Program funded by the Korea National Institute of Health [grant number 2019E520202]. The funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. https://www.nih.go.kr