Recurrent culture-confirmed tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent tuberculosis (TB) is more common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected than HIV-uninfected adults. There are limited data regarding recurrence of TB in children.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the occurrence of recurrent TB in HIV-infected children with culture-confirmed tuberculosis.


METHODS
HIV-infected children with culture-confirmed TB, identified from 1992 to 2000, were followed until February 2004 for further confirmed TB episodes 6 months or more after completion of previous antituberculosis therapy. Clinical data and results of special investigations were recorded. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates was done when possible.


RESULTS
Of 87 children, 9 had a second episode; 2 of these had a third episode of confirmed TB. Adherence to treatment was good in 8; 2 experienced hepatotoxicity, and regimens were changed. Chest radiographs were normal in only 2 children after first treatment completion. Bacteriologic cure was documented in 7 episodes before recurrence. RFLP analysis showed 3 children infected with the same strain (relapse) and 1 child with a different strain between episodes 1 and 3 (reinfection). Two further cases had reinfection based on epidemiologic data and drug susceptibility test results. Full comparison of strains by RFLP was not possible because of the unavailability of isolates of the first episode in 5 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent TB in HIV-infected children is common in a high burden TB setting. Both relapse and reinfection occur.
Schaaf
H Simon
HS
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Krook
Sara
S
Hollemans
Dete W
DW
Warren
Robin M
RM
Donald
Peter R
PR
Hesseling
Anneke C
AC
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology