[Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Complications of cytotoxic treatment in a systemic vasculitis].
We report a patient with systemic vasculitis who developed a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia whilst he was on steroid n cyclophosphamide treatment. Severe lymphopenia was noted with a CD4 count of 0.023 x10(9)/1 with no evidence of Human Immunodeficiency virus infection. A literature review of recent reports about this particular topic reveals that the development of lymphopenia in patients under immunosuppressor treatment is a fact of a paramount importance. In that sense, a periodic monitorization of both the granulocyte and the lymphocyte count is widely recommended in patients under cytotoxic treatment. A dose adjustment or even suppression of drug administration would be necessary if severe lymphopenia was observed.
Gamboa
F
F
Servicio de Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Virgen de Valme. Sevilla.
Rivera
J M
JM
García-Bragado
F
F
Rodríguez Yoldi
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000209:etiology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone