Clinical and laboratory markers of hypersensitivity to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and AIDS.
A group of clinical, immunologic, and virologic variables was examined to determine if any predicted the development of hypersensitivity to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) during treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Hypersensitivity occurred in 39 (27%) of 143 patients, who had significantly higher total lymphocyte and CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts and CD4:CD8 ratios than did those who did not develop hypersensitivity. Regression analysis identified having a CD4:CD8 ratio > 0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-3.94; P = .02) and treatment for < 14 days (95% CI, 1.57-3.75; P = .04) as independently predictive of hypersensitivity. Use of corticosteroids tended to reduce the frequency of hypersensitivity (7% vs. 30%; P = .07). T lymphocytes may be important in the pathogenesis of these hypersensitivity reactions. As the frequency of hypersensitivity declines with disease progression, T lymphocytes could be effector cells in these reactions or their sensitivity to TMP-SMZ may decline with HIV disease progression.
Carr
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Centre for Immunology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Swanson
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C
Penny
R
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Cooper
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DA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination