Communicable Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea
Nighisty Tesfamichael is a scientist currently working at the Communicable Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea. He has authored a number of peer-reviewed publications and numerous abstracts in each of the research areas.
Research
Challenges of Hepatotoxicity Associated with Isoniazid Preventive Therapy among People Living with HIV in Eritrea
Author(s): Mulugeta Russom*, Araia Berhane, Merhawi Debesai, Hagos Andom, Dawit Tesfai, Zenawi Zeremariam, Selamawit Gebrehiwet, Nighisty Tesfamichael, Saleh Mohammed Said and Hagos Ahmed
Background
Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is an intervention recommended by the WHO for prophylaxis of Tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLWH) and reported as generally safe with little risk of hepatotoxicity. Following its introduction in Eritrea in 2014, IPT related hepatotoxicity and fatality have been frequently reported to the Eritrean Pharmacovigilance Centre. The aim of this study is, therefore, to quantify the risk of hepatotoxicity, evaluate the effectiveness of close laboratory monitoring, assess the causal relationship of IPT and hepatotoxicity, identify possible risk factors and assess preventability of Isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in PLWH.
Methods
This was an observational cohort study of PLWH on IPT enrolled from three Antiretroviral therapy (ART) Clinics in Asmara, Eritrea, between August.. View more»