TB management update

Current treatment of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) consists of a 6-month regimen (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide). Now, a 4-month treatment regimen with rifapentine-moxifloxacin has been suggested for patients aged 12 years and over [1].

The feasibility of a 4-month regimen in a national TB plan includes the fact that it is a treatment option which can be used in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who have CD4+ cell counts ≥ 100 cells/µL and who are being treated with or are planning to use efavirenz. Rapid drug-susceptibility testing for rifampicin, fluoroquinolones and isoniazid should be performed and absorption of rifapentine in the gut is improved in the presence of high-fat foods. However, the costs may be higher for the rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen compared with the standard 6-month regimen [2].

1. Carr W, et al. MMWR. 2022;71(8):285-289.
2. Blöndal K. Recent advances and guides for management of tuberculosis. Nordic Lung Congress 2022, 01–03 June, Copenhagen, Denmark.

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