Antituberculosis Drug - Induced Elevation in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Levels: A Comparison between Patients with and without HIV Seropositivity in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2015, Vol 10, Issue 1

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide induced elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were compared in a cohort of Nigerians with and without HIV seropositivity. Methods: Records of all the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (251 HIV positive and 205 HIV negative), aged above 15 years treated in the TB program of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa from January 2013 to December 2014 were analysed for this study. The WHO 4 grades of hepatotoxicity using ALT were used. ALT of less than 50 U/L was taken as normal. Grade 1 (very mild hepatotoxicity): <2.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) i.e. ALT 51-125 U/L. Grade 2 (mild): 2.6 – 5 x the ULN (ALT 126-250 U/L). Grade 3 (moderate): 5-10 x the ULN (ALT 251 – 500 U/L). Grade 4 (severe) >10 x the ULN (ALT > 500 U/L). Results: No patient with or without HIV seropositivity had ALT value in the grade 3 and 4 category ≥251 U/L. There was no statistically significant difference in ALT values between cohorts with or without HIV in the 3 ALT categories obtained while on antituberculous drugs (P = 0.761, 0.367 and 0.197). Conclusion: All the observed hepatotoxicity were mild. The average rate of hepatotoxicity in the HIV uninfected pulmonary tuberculosis cohort was 16.6%, 9.8% and 5.4% for ALT1, ALT2 and ALT3 respectively. The rate in the HIV infected cohorts was 15.5%, 8.8% and 16.4% for ALT1, ALT2 and ALT3. It is encouraging to find a low rate of antituberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity than one would expect based on the high prevalence of risk factors in our environment.

Authors and Affiliations

Peter Ogie Ikuabe, J. Jumbo, I. D. Ebuenyi, D. Ogoina, T. C. Harry

Keywords

Related Articles

Sero-prevalence of Brucellosis in Cattle and Its Associated Risk Factors in North East India (Meghalaya)

Aim: A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study was conducted from July 2008 to December 2014 in Meghalaya (India) to determine prevalence of bovine brucellosis and also for assessing the risk factors associated with the di...

Dengue Fever in Myasthenic Crisis

Aims: To investigate the possibility of a difference in late response towards intravenous immunoglobulin and its efficacy in myasthenic crisis when given during an acute dengue infection. Presentation of Case: We report...

National Health Insurance Scheme and Universal Health Coverage among Formal Sector Employees in Ilorin, Nigeria: Has Any Progress Been Made?

Aims: Nigeria implemented a prepayment scheme for health over a decade ago with the aim of achieving universal health coverage. Though the formal sector employees in the federal civil service are the focus, universal hea...

Users’ Satisfaction with Services Provided Under National Health Insurance Scheme in South Western Nigeria

Aims: National Health Insurance Scheme became operational in Nigeria over eight years ago; yet, population coverage is below 20% and healthcare services are provided ineffectively and inefficiently. Satisfaction surveys...

Risk Factors of Road Traffic Crashes among Intercity Drivers in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria

Aim: Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) have emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. In this report, we explored the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported RTC among intercity drivers in Ibadan, Oy...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP342827
  • DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2015/19448
  • Views 64
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Peter Ogie Ikuabe, J. Jumbo, I. D. Ebuenyi, D. Ogoina, T. C. Harry (2015). Antituberculosis Drug - Induced Elevation in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Levels: A Comparison between Patients with and without HIV Seropositivity in Yenagoa, Nigeria. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 10(1), 1-6. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-342827