Initial combination of injectable and oral anti-tuberculosis agents for the treatment of severe disseminated tuberculosis

Abstract

There is a need for intravenous therapy for severe forms of tuberculosis in those who are HIV-positive, diabetic, have cystic fibrosis, extensive gastrointestinal involvement, haemodynamic instability with difficulty to take and absorb oral medications, which results in a lack of appropriate therapeutic effect during treatment, such as not creating the optimal blood concentration of the substance. We report an HIV-infected patient presenting with severe disseminated tuberculosis with extensive intestinal involvement which was successfully treated with an initial combination regimen of injectable and oral anti-tuberculosis agents. We discuss and emphasize the importance of an initial regimen with injectable and oral agents for treating severe forms of tuberculosis.