TB Preventive Therapy for individuals exposed to drug-resistant tuberculosis: feasibility and safety of a community-based delivery of fluoroquinolone-containing preventive regimen

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a fluoroquinolone-based regimen to treat individuals presumed to be infected with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). We sought to assess the feasibility of this approach in an urban setting in South Asia. METHODS: From February 2016 until March 2017, all household contacts of DR-TB patients enrolled at the Indus Hospital were screened for TB symptoms at home. Children aged 0-17 years, symptomatic adults, and those with an immunocompromising condition (human immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, or malnutrition) were evaluated for TB disease. Contacts diagnosed with TB disease were started on treatment. Contacts without TB disease aged /=18 years with an immunocompromising condition were offered 6 months of treatment with a fluoroquinolone. RESULTS: One hundred households with 800 contacts were enrolled: 353 (44.1%) individuals aged