Rifabutin Prophylaxis and Uveitis

Abstract
Nightingale et al. (Sept. 16 issue)1 reported no cases of uveitis among 292 patients taking 300 mg of rifabutin per day as prophylaxis against Mycobacterium avium complex infection, and there was no mention of uveitis in the guidelines on treatment and prophylaxis for M. avium complex disease (Sept. 16 issue)2. However, Shafran and colleagues (Feb. 10 issue)3 reported the development of uveitis in 39 percent of 59 patients treated for M. avium complex bacteremia with 600 mg of rifabutin daily (along with clarithromycin and ethambutol). We report a case of bilateral uveitis in a patient who was taking the currently recommended daily dose of 300 mg of rifabutin for M. avium complex prophylaxis.