Background Latent tuberculosis infection treatment is a cornerstone of tuberculosis control. Standard treatment is 9 months of daily, self-administered isoniazid (9H). In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended 12 doses of isoniazid and rifapentine (3HP), administered once weekly and directly observed, based on a clinical trial demonstrating equal efficacy and higher completion rate than the standard of care (82% vs 69%). The infectious disease clinic at the University of Vermont Medical Center began using the 12-dose regimen in 2012. This study compares the completion rates and safety of the 2 treatments in a real-world setting. Methods Two matched cohorts of 82 patients were compared with matching based on age, sex, refugee, foreign birth, birth in Bhutan, and hospital employee. Results The completion rates did not differ between 3HP and 9H (71% and 75%, respectively; P = 0.51). For 3HP, males had a higher completion rate than did females (80% vs 56%, P = 0.02). For either cohort, the completion rate did not differ by age, foreign birth, refugee, Bhutanese, or hospital employment. Adverse reactions were the most common reasons to discontinue therapy (74%). The rates of permanent drug discontinuation due to an adverse event were 23% (3HP group) and 15% (9H group) (P = 0.17). Conclusions In a cohort of predominantly refugees, completion rates with the 12-dose regimen were not higher than daily, self-administered 9 months of isoniazid. The 12-week regimen was safe and efficient but did not have a higher completion rate. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifapentine 3HP completion Latent tuberculosis

human pyridoxine gastrointestinal disease neurologic disease drug efficacy systemic disease musculoskeletal disease hearing impairment cardiovascular disease male latent tuberculosis female rifapentine Article drug withdrawal major clinical study adult isoniazid drug safety tuberculosis control cohort analysis retrospective study