Preventive Treatment of Tuberculosis with Fluoroquinolones Including Moxifloxacin in Children Exposed to Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

The objective: to establish effectiveness and safety of preventive treatment of tuberculosis with fluoroquinolones in children exposed to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) in their families. Subjects and Methods. A cohort prospective study was conducted in Arkhangelsk Region from January 01, 2011 to December 31, 2021. Children exposed to MDR TB who received or did not receive preventive treatment were enrolled in the study. Results. 286 children aged 0 to 18 years exposed to 939 adult MDR TB patients were included in the study. Of the 286 children, 37 were exposed to more than one adult with MDR TB, 3 children were exposed to 5 cases, 2 children were exposed to 4 cases, 8 children were exposed to 3 cases, and 24 children were exposed to 1 case. Of the 225 children who received preventive treatment with fluoroquinolones, there were no cases of tuberculosis as of March 1, 2024. Among 61 children who received no preventive treatment, there was 1 (1.64%) case of tuberculosis, which corresponded to the rate of 1639.3 per 100,000 contingent. Adverse reactions to fluoroquinolone were reported in 48/225 (21.33%) children, of which 8/225 (3.6%) were serious ones. All adverse reactions resolved.