Reduction of clinical tuberculosis in HIV-infected males with isoniazid prophylaxis

Isoniazid [INH] chemoprophylaxis has a positive impact on the development of clinical tuberculosis. Due to the increased prevalence of tuberculosis among HIV-infected individuals, we evaluated the effect of INH on the prevention of clinical tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients. We administered 300 mg of INH daily to 246 HIV-infected, tuberculin skin test-positive patients for 12 months. During 3 years of follow-up, 41 participants died and 94 were lost to follow up. Of the 111 patients followed for the 3 years, 12 developed tuberculosis which is lower than might be expected in an untreated group. INH prophylaxis appears to be an effective method to prevent clinical tuberculosis among HIV-infected, tuberculin skin test-positive patients.