Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis during pregnancy: a report of 7 cases

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Apr 15;36(8):996-1003. doi: 10.1086/374225. Epub 2003 Apr 4.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global public health problem affecting women of childbearing age. Little is known, however, about the safety of the drugs used to treat MDR-TB during pregnancy. We describe 7 patients who were treated for MDR-TB during pregnancy. These patients had chronic tuberculosis that had caused extensive parenchymal damage and had high-grade resistance to antituberculous drugs. All patients received individualized antituberculous therapy prior to delivery of healthy term infants. Neither obstetrical complications nor perinatal transmission of MDB-TB was observed. One patient experienced treatment failure, and another abandoned therapy. The other 5 patients are currently cured or in treatment and have culture-negative status. In each of these 7 cases, excellent treatment outcomes were obtained for the women and their children. Under certain circumstances, MDR-TB can be successfully treated during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents