Risks of infection or reactivation of tuberculosis associated with chronic corticosteroid therapy.
Although corticosteroids are known to be immunosuppressive, there have been no studies to show that use of corticosteroids increases the risk of developing new tuberculosis or reactivating old tuberculosis. In fact, corticosteroids are recommended for the treatment of several forms of tuberculosis, such as pleural tuberculosis, genitourinary tuberculosis, and tuberculous meningitis. Clinicians should still be alert for tuberculosis appearing in immunocompromised patients as a disseminated infection or for tuberculosis that is atypical in appearance.
Cline
J C
JC
Department of Pharmacy, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem 27157, USA.
Davis
S M
SM
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones