title: Meta-analysis of prophylactic treatments against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasma encephalitis in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: In a meta-analysis, we examined the efficacy of aerosolized pentamidine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and dapsone or dapsone/pyrimethamine for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and toxoplasma encephalitis in patients with HIV infection. Of 22 trials, 13 compared trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with aerosolized pentamidine, nine compared dapsone alone or in combination with pyrimethamine with aerosolized pentamidine, and eight compared trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with dapsone/pyrimethamine. In total, 1484 patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 1548 patients with dapsone/pyrimethamine or dapsone, and 1800 patients with aerosolized pentamidine. For dapsone/pyrimethamine versus aerosolized pentamidine, the risk ratio for P. carinii pneumonia was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-1.15), and for toxoplasma encephalitis it was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54-0.97). For trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus aerosolized pentamidine, the risk ratio of P. carinii pneumonia was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.45-0.76), and for toxoplasma encephalitis it was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.55-1.11). For trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus dapsone/pyrimethamine, the risk ratio of P. carinii pneumonia was 0.49 (95% CI, 0.26-0.92), and for toxoplasma encephalitis it was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.68-2.04). Although current evidence does not allow a definitive recommendation, administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for prophylaxis of P. carinii pneumonia and toxoplasmosis in patients with HIV infection is consistent with the available data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Guyatt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Opravil
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010419:Pentamidine; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D003622:Dapsone; D011739:Pyrimethamine