Consensus document for the management of tuberculosis in solid organ transplant recipients

The relevance of tuberculosis in solid organ transplant recipients stems from the difficulties in the diagnosis, which delay the start of treatment, and the associated toxicity of pharmacological therapy. These facts are responsible for the large number of clinical complications and the high mortality in this population. This Consensus Document from GESITRA (Spanish Transplantation Infection Study Group) defines the indications for prophylaxis of latent tuberculosis infection in patients undergoing solid organ transplantation, in particular those with a high risk of pharmacological toxicity, as is the case of liver transplant recipients. This Consensus Document also establishes recommendations for the choice of drugs to use and duration of treatment for tuberculosis in solid organ transplant recipients, with special mention of vigilance for the development of pharmacological interactions between rifampin and immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, rapamycin, and steroids). (C) 2008 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.