Corneal endothelial depoit in children poitive for human immunodeficiency viru receiving rifabutin prophylaxi for mycobacterium avium complex bacteremia Original Reearch Article

PURPOE: To ae the potential ocular effect of prophylactic adminitration of rifabutin in children with ymptomatic human immunodeficiency viru (HIV) infection and CD4 count le than 50 cell per mm3. METHOD: Twenty-five children with HIV infection were enrolled in a phae I-II tudy of prophylactic adminitration of ytemic rifabutin for prevention of dieminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection and monitored propectively for the development of ocular complication econdary to HIV infection or drug toxicity. REULT: The doe of rifabutin ranged from 5.0 mg to 15.0 mg per kg, and the median ophthalmic follow-up wa 24 month. During the tudy period, ix of the children receiving rifabutin prophylaxi for M. avium complex developed unuual bilateral, initially peripheral, tellate, corneal endothelial depoit without aociated uveiti. Review of erial corneal drawing and photograph howed an increae in the number of corneal depoit with continued adminitration of rifabutin. The duration of rifabutin treatment (P = .017) and follow-up (P = .0011) wa ignificantly longer in patient who developed thee corneal endothelial change. CONCLUION: Corneal endothelial depoit hould be conidered a potential ide effect of rifabutin therapy. To date, thee finding have not been ight threatening.