rifampin and Gastrointestinal-Hemorrhage

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) induced by daily rifampicin therapy is rare, especially the patient is absent of malignancy, severe infection, and prior exposure to rifampicin.. We report a case of DIC induced by daily rifampicin treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. A 22-year-old, previously healthy man received an anti-tuberculosis therapy consisting of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide on the daily dose recommended by the World Health Organization tuberculosis guidelines after a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Two weeks later, he was transferred to the West China Hospital with nasal hemorrhage for 1 week, hematochezia, hematuria, and petechiae for 5 days.. Laboratory data and symptoms on admission indicated DIC.. The anti-tuberculosis drugs were discontinued after admission and he was initiated with targeted treatment for DIC, omeprazole and polyene hosphatidylcholine infusion, as well as nutrition supportive treatment. Five days after admission, ethambutol, moxifloxacin, and amikacin were added to the patient without further active hemorrhage. Eight days after admission, the platelet count had risen gradually. Isoniazid was administered on 24 days after admission, while his liver function tests and platelet counts returned to normal. No recurrence of DIC occurred. The diagnosis of rifampicin-induced DIC was confirmed.. The patient recovered and left hospital with isoniazid, ethambutol, levofloxacin, and streptomycin after 4 weeks of hospitalization. There was no recurrence of DIC or hemorrhage during the 8 months of follow-up. The literature review revealed that there were 10 other cases of rifampicin-induced DIC. Only 4 cases received rifampicin on a daily basis for pulmonary tuberculosis treatment and the others were on intermittent dosing schedule for pulmonary tuberculosis or leprosy treatment.. As a rare adverse effect, DIC induced by rifampicin occurs irregularly and unpredictably, which is reported to be more associated with the intermittent usage of rifampicin, but can occur with rifampicin daily administration. Identification of early symptoms, drug discontinuation, supportive management, and regular monitoring are the key points to correct this adverse effect, which may contribute to severe even fetal results in patients and deserves more attention.

Topics: Antitubercular Agents; China; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematuria; Humans; Male; Purpura; Rifampin; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Young Adult

Secondary aortoenteric fistulas remain challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Although the duodenum is most frequently involved, other intestinal segments are possible sites for fistulization. We report here a case of graft-appendiceal fistula revealed by recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding 11 years after abdominal aortic aneurysm replacement. The preoperative diagnosis was not achieved by endoscopy or imaging assessment. Despite recommended principles of total graft excision and extraanatomic bypass, appendectomy and in situ rifampin-bonded graft reconstruction were performed because of the advanced age and poor arterial runoff. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient remains well 17 months after operation.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Aortic Diseases; Appendix; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Cecal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Intestinal Fistula; Male; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Postoperative Complications; Rifampin; Time Factors; Vascular Fistula

Gastrointestinal disturbances like anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea are known adverse effects of rifampicin. We report an upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to haemorrhagic gastric erosions after ingestion of rifampicin for pulmonary tuberculosis. The cause and effect relationship between development of haemorrhagic gastric erosions and rifampicin administration was confirmed by rechallenge with rifampicin. To our knowledge no such adverse effect of rifampicin has been reported previously.

Topics: Child; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Rifampin; Stomach Ulcer; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary