A 28-year-old HIV-positive patient (CD4 count 80 cells/µL) has a positive Mantoux test (>5 mm is significant in HIV) but a normal chest X-ray. The recommended preventive therapy under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) India is:

• A Isoniazid 300 mg daily for 6 months (6H) ✓
• B Rifampicin 600 mg daily for 4 months
• C Isoniazid-rifampicin for 3 months (3HR)
• D Isoniazid plus rifapentine weekly for 12 weeks (3HP)

Explanation

Under NTEP India, isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) — isoniazid 300 mg daily for 6 months — is recommended for HIV-positive individuals with latent TB infection (positive TST with induration ≥5 mm, or a positive IGRA), provided active TB has been excluded. The 3HP (isoniazid + rifapentine weekly × 12 weeks) regimen is widely used in high-income settings but is not the standard recommendation in the NTEP framework for India. Rifampicin monotherapy for 4 months is an alternative in non-HIV settings.

Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.