Low-dose rifabutin-induced uveitis with premature occurrence

Abstract

Rifabutin is a known-drug prescribed for prophylaxis and treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and causes dose-related anterior uveitis in immunocompromised individuals, particularly, those infected with HIV. Previous studies have reported rifabutin-induced uveitis with high doses. It is infrequent with 300 mg/day or less; moreover, it takes weeks to months to develop. We report three HIV cases that on treatment with low-dose 300 mg rifabutin presented with anterior uveitis with early occurrence. Furthermore, one of the cases had rifabutin-induced panuveitis, another rarity. Thus, although rare, low-dose rifabutin-induced uveitis with early presentation should be kept as a differential diagnosis of unusual presentation of uveitis in HIV, early management of which prevents visual morbidity.