ANTERIOR UVEITIS ASSOCIATED WITH RIFABUTIN MEDICATION IN AIDS PATIENTS

Eight episodes of rifabutin-associated anterior uveitis in AIDS patien ts are reported. Uveitis developed after two weeks to nine months of m edication, commonly when rifabutin was administered along with clarith romycin and/or fluconazole. Recovery was closely correlated to suspend ing rifabutin early while less dependent on total rifabutin dose or ep idemiological patient characteristics. In two cases, discontinuation o f rifabutin alone relieved ocular inflammation. Repeated exposure to r ifabutin was successful with a reduced dosage in three patients.