Preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in persons living in social welfare homes due to mental pathology

Aim . To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in people living in social welfare homes due to mental pathology. Methods . 121 patients with latent infection living in social welfare homes were included in prospective study, 79 men and 42 women aged 25–90 years. The choice of preventive therapy regimen was made according comorbidities and the risk of interactions between antituberculosis drugs and psychopharmacotherapy. The incidence of adverse reactions, the dynamics of skin tests results and tuberculosis morbidity during two years of follow-up were evaluated. Results . 119 patients received preventive treatment: isoniazid for 6 months (n = 47) or isoniazid and pyrazinamide for 3 months (n = 72). The incidence of adverse reactions was 5.9% (95% CI 2.4–10.8%), 10.6% in the isoniazid group, 2.8% in the isoniazid plus pyrazinamide group (p > 0.05). In the first year of follow-up, skin test reactions decreased in 62.4% of patients and became negative in 9.9%; in the second year − in 40.1% and 1.9%, respectively; the number of persons with hyperergic reactions decreased 3.4 times. No cases of active tuberculosis were detected. Conclusion . In patients with latent tuberculosis infection living in social welfare homes due to mental pathology, preventive therapy with isoniazid (6 months) or isoniazid and pyrazinamide (3 months) is advisable.