IGRA-based INH regimen for prevention of active tuberculosis after kidney transplantation: a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Interferon-gamma release Assay (IGRA)-based isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis strategy to prevent tuberculosis (TB) infection in kidney transplantation (KT) with a risk of TB occurrence.

METHODS: Adult KT recipients (KTRs) between June 2014 and July 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The development of active TB after KT was evaluated.

RESULTS: Of 925 KTRs, 111 (12.0%) developed active TB. Among the 501 KTRs at a risk of TB occurrence, 70 (14.0%) patients developed active TB, while 41 (9.7%) of 424 patients without risk factors developed active TB (P=0.05). 239 KTRs received IGRA test with 62 (25.9%) were positive. None of IGRA positive patients (0/40) receiving INH prophylaxis developed active TB, whereas 8 out of 22 patients who had positive IGRA results without INH prophylaxis developed active TB (0 vs. 36.4%, P<0.01). Of note, for those in risk group but with negative IGRA result, no active TB was found even without INH prophylaxis. Although alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in INH prevention group were higher than those before treatment, they did not exceed 3-fold of limit of reference range.

CONCLUSIONS: IGRA-based INH treatment is an effective and safe protocol to prevent the development of active TB in KTRs.