Fulminant hepatitis during treatment with rifampicin, pyrazinamid and ethambutol

A 10-year-old girl with cervical tuberculosis was treated with Isoniazid, Rimfampicin and Ethambutol. After 2 weeks of treatment a hepatotoxic reaction developed. Withdrawal of therapy resulted in complete clinical improvement and in normalization of all laboratory measurements. Treatment was restarted with Rifampicin, Pyrazinamid and Ethambutol. Liver enzyme levels were monitored weekly. Seven weeks after this three-drug regiment was started, all therapy was discontinued because of elevated liver enzyme levels. However, the patient died 2 weeks later of progressive fulminant hepatitis.