title: Rapid oral desensitization to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in infants and children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the preferred chemoprophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, there are frequent IgE-mediated reactions among children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral desensitization allows more patients to receive chemoprophylaxis, but it has been studied in only a limited number of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We desensitized five children infected with the HIV using a rapid, 4-h oral protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three children (including two infants) successfully completed desensitization and started maintenance therapy, but the other two experienced reactions that precluded further administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that a rapid, oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole desensitization protocol is safe and, in some instances, effective among HIV-infected children and infants with a history of non-life-threatening, IgE-mediated reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, NY, USA.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Palusci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaul
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Kwittken
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination