A retrospective study of treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole.
OBJECTIVE
a retrospective study was designed to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in AIDS patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis (TE).


METHODS
we reviewed 471 patients with AIDS, and we analysed 71 AIDS patients with TE, who received intravenous therapy with TMP-SMZ (TMP: 10 mg/kg/day, SMZ: 50 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
35 patients (49.2%) had a complete regression of clinical signs, and a complete resolution of radiological lesions was noted in 41 patients (57.7%). Improvement of clinical signs and radiological lesions were observed in 27 patients (38%), and in nine patients (12.6%), respectively. In contrast, nine patients (12.6%) did not show any clinical change, or worsened. Twenty-two patients (30.9%) suffered from adverse cutaneous reactions, whereas many patients had haematological toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
TMP-SMZ seems to be an efficient therapy for TE in AIDS patients, although further prospective, randomized therapeutic trials are required to confirm these results.
Torre
D
D
Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital, Varese, Italy.
Speranza
F
F
Martegani
R
R
Zeroli
C
C
Banfi
M
M
Airoldi
M
M
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination