Rifampicin Resistance in S. Aureus During and After Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis

The use of rifampicin for treatment of latent tuberculosis has gained popularity due to a shorter treatment course compared with isoniazide (4 versus 6-9 months) since this can lead to a higher proportion of treatment completion. An estimated 25% of the global population is latently infected with tuberculosis. Hence, a shift towards rifampicin instead of isoniazide, which has a more narrow antibacterial spectrum, could have a large impact on the prevalence of rifampicin resistance among commensal bacteria with pathogenic potential, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus).

The investigators will investigate the risk of acquisition of rifampicin resistance in commensal S.aureus during out-patient treatment for latent tuberculosis using 4 months rifampicin versus 6-9 months isoniazide at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden.

Swabs will be obtained from the nose, throat, groin and possible wounds for culture and resistance testing before, during and after cessation of treatment for latent tuberculosis. Whole genome sequencing will be used to analyze accumulation of mutations over time and to determine if it is the primarily detected S.aureus that develop resistance or if the individual is colonized by new, rifampicin-resistant S.aureus over the course of treatment. Household contacts to persons with rifampicin-resistant S.aureus will be examined to investigate onward spread of bacteria within a household.

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed with latent tuberculosis
• prescribed either 4 months rifampicin or 6-9 months isoniazide
• informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• none