Enhanced treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in rats with interferon-gamma and reduced doses of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was used to treat rats with steroid-induced Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Treatment with 427,000 U/day prophylactically prevented infection in this model. Treatment with 200,000 U, three times/week for 2 weeks caused a significant reduction in the number of cysts in the lungs and prolonged survival of the rats. In addition, IFN-gamma and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole behaved synergistically in the treatment of PCP in rats. Reduced dosages of each drug, when given together, caused an almost complete eradication of the infection. This may be a useful approach in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome in whom anti-Pneumocystis drugs are often toxic.
Shear
H L
HL
Department of Medical and Molecular Parasitology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
Valladares
G
G
Narachi
M A
MA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D007371:Interferon-gamma