High-Dose Oral and Intravenous Rifampicin for the Treatment of Tuberculous Meningitis in Predominantly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Positive Ugandan Adults : A Phase II Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

• Background: High-dose rifampicin may improve outcomes of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Little safety or pharmacokinetic (PK) data exist on high-dose rifampicin in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, and no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PK data exist from Africa. We hypothesized that high-dose rifampicin would increase serum and CSF concentrations without excess toxicity. Methods: In this phase II open-label trial, Ugandan adults with suspected TBM were randomized to standard-of-care control (PO-10, rifampicin 10 mg/kg/day), intravenous rifampicin (IV-20, 20 mg/kg/day), or high-dose oral rifampicin (PO-35, 35 mg/kg/day). We performed PK sampling on days 2 and 14. The primary outcomes were total exposure (AUC(0-24)), maximum concentration (C-max), CSF concentration, and grade 3-5 adverse events. Results: We enrolled 61 adults, 92% were living with HIV, median CD4 count was 50 cells/mu L (interquartile range [IQR] 46-56). On day 2, geometric mean plasma AUC(0-24hr) was 42.9.h mg/L with standard-of-care 10 mg/kg dosing, 249.h mg/L for IV-20 and 327.h mg/L for PO-35 (P<.001). In CSF, standard of care achieved undetectable rifampicin concentration in 56% of participants and geometric mean AUC(0-24hr) 0.27 mg/L, compared with 1.74 mg/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.5) for IV-20 and 2.17 mg/L (1.6-2.9) for PO-35 regimens (P<.001). Achieving CSF concentrations above rifampicin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) occurred in 11% (2/18) of standard-of-care, 93% (14/15) of IV-20, and 95% (18/19) of PO-35 participants. Higher serum and CSF levels were sustained at day 14. Adverse events did not differ by dose (P=.34). Conclusions: Current international guidelines result in sub-therapeutic CSF rifampicin concentration for 89% of Ugandan TBM patients. High-dose intravenous and oral rifampicin were safe and respectively resulted in exposures similar to 6- and similar to 8-fold higher than standard of care, and CSF levels above the MIC.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Infektionsmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Infectious Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

tuberculous meningitis

rifampicin

intensified therapy

HIV

TBM

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