A Study of Daily Rifapentine Combined With Isoniazid (1HP) for Tuberculosis Prevention in Children Less Than 13 Years of Age With and Without HIV

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) · Aug 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in children under 13 years old, including those who have HIV and are on treatment. The study will test a medicine called Rifapentine combined with another medicine called Isoniazid, taken once a day for 28 days. The goal is to find the right dose that can safely help protect children at risk of TB from getting sick. Up to 144 children will take part, and they will be followed for about six months to see how well the treatment works and to check for any side effects.

Children may be eligible if they are under 13 years old, weigh at least 3 kilograms (about 6.6 pounds), and are at risk for TB because they have been around someone with TB recently or have positive TB test results. For children with HIV, they must already be on specific HIV medicines and have their virus under control. Parents or guardians need to give permission, and the child must be healthy enough to take part, without active TB or other serious health problems. During the study, families can expect regular check-ups and tests to make sure the treatment is working and the child stays safe. This study is not yet open for enrollment but aims to help protect vulnerable children from TB in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. A parent or legal guardian must be willing and able to give written permission for the child to participate in the study. If required by local policies, the child must also be willing and able to give written assent to participate. All sites must follow local policies and procedures.
• 2. Age requirements at entry:
• • Cohort 1: Children under 13 years old.
• • Cohort 2: Children aged 12 weeks to under 13 years old.
• • 3. For Cohort 1 participants under 28 days old: The child must have been born at or after 37 weeks of pregnancy, as determined by the site investigator using parent/guardian report or medical records.
• 4. Weight requirements at entry:
• • Cohort 1: 3 kg to under 45 kg.
• • Cohort 2: 6 kg to under 45 kg.
• 5. HIV status:
• • Cohort 1: Must be living without HIV.
• • Cohort 2: Must be living with HIV.
• 6. At risk of TB disease, defined as meeting at least one of the following:
• • Having close contact with someone with infectious pulmonary TB within the past six months.
• • A positive tuberculin skin test (TST) or, for those over two years old, a positive interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) if TST is not available.
• • For Cohort 2 only: Living in a high TB burden area (≥ 60 TB cases per 100,000 people per year).
• 7. Normal or mild (grade 1 or 2) test results for the following at screening (within 21 days before entry):
• • ALT (liver enzyme)
• • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (kidney function)
• • Absolute neutrophil count (white blood cells)
• • Hemoglobin (red blood cells)
• 8. For Cohort 2 participants:
• • Must have been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 12 weeks before entry.
• • Must have been on a specific ART regimen (once-daily DTG and two NRTIs) for at least 14 days before entry.
• • Must have used the same formulation of DTG (tablet or dispersible tablet) for at least three days before entry.
• • Must agree to continue the same formulation of DTG for the study duration.
• • Must have an HIV-1 RNA level below 200 copies/mL at screening.
• • 9. Must intend to stay in the same area for the study duration.
• • 10. Must have access to at least one meal per day during the 28-day treatment period.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• 1. The child has active TB, confirmed by medical records, parent/guardian report, or tests during screening, indicated by:
• • Currently being treated for active TB.
• • Symptoms like poor growth, poor weight gain, weight loss, cough for at least 11 days, or fever for at least eight days.
• • X-ray or CT scan showing TB.
• • Positive TB test results (e.g., culture, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, Truenat M.tb, other nucleic acid tests, urine tests).
• • 2. The child has been exposed to an adult with drug-resistant TB (resistant to Rifampicin or Isoniazid) within the past six months.
• 3. The child has taken the following medications:
• • Daily Isoniazid in the 28 days before entry.
• • Any prohibited medications listed in the study within three days before entry.
• 4. The child has any of the following conditions:
• • Acute or chronic hepatitis.
• • Allergy to Isoniazid or rifamycins.
• • Porphyria.
• • Severe peripheral neuropathy.
• • 5. The child has severe acute malnutrition (weight-for-height/length less than -3 z-scores of WHO standards). Note: Children who are stunted (height-for-age more than two standard deviations below WHO standards) are eligible.
• • 6. For Cohort 2: The child has an active AIDS-defining opportunistic infection.
• • 7. The child has started menstruation.
• • 8. The child has taken NVP, EFV, lopinavir/ritonavir, and/or raltegravir within 14 days before entry.
• • 9. The child has received long-term immunosuppressive therapy (more than eight days) within 30 days before entry. Note: Short courses of steroids (seven days or less) may be allowed with approval.
• • 10. The child is a result of a multiple birth (e.g., twins, triplets).
• • 11. The child has any other significant medical condition that would make participation unsafe, complicate data interpretation, or interfere with study objectives, as determined by the site investigator.