Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Reaction and Re-Introduction of Anti-Tubercular Drugs (ATT): A Case Report and Review of Literature

Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent overall. According to the WHO Global TB Report, India contributes to 26% of the global burden of TB. Currently, a four-drug regimen comprising Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol is approved for the treatment of drug-sensitive TB. The management of cutaneous adverse drug reactions to anti-tubercular drugs is akin to a double-edged sword, with discontinuation of ATT increasing the risk of developing disseminated and drug-resistant tuberculosis, and continuation leading to persistence or exacerbation of the adverse drug reaction (ADR). The risk of developing an ADR to anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) varies from 8 to 85% in various studies [10]. The prevalence of rashes associated with ATT shows that the maculopapular rash (42.5%) is the most frequently observed type, followed by urticarial, lichenoid, DRESS, AGEP, and exfoliative dermatitis (17). The drugs associated with Cutaneous ADRs from the lowest to the highest risk are Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, Ethionamide, Cycloserine, Ethambutol, Para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), and Streptomycin (25). We present a case and approach to the re-introduction of first-line anti-tubercular drugs after hypersensitivity with fixed-dose combinations. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, adverse drug reaction, anti-tubercular therapy