RIFAMPIN AND CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE-RESPONSES IN TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

To estimate the potential adverse consequences of rifampin therapy on cell-mediated immunity in tuberculosis, in vitro lymphocyte responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and in vitro and in vivo responses to tuberculin purified protein derivative were studied. Patients (37) treated with therapeutic combinations containing rifampin were compared with 13 persons who never received the drug. After initial improvement, responses to phytohemagglutinin became depressed in patients receiving rifampin for periods of 4-24 mo. No significant changes were noted in lymphocyte responses to concanavalin A or pokeweed motogen. In vitro and in vivo responses to tuberculin purified protein derivative were not altered. Because a favorable therapeutic outcome was achieved in all subjects, rifampin probably does not have clinically significant immunosuppressive activity.