Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in the Federal Republic of Germany in the era of changing antiretroviral therapy - IDKF 13 -. German AIDS Study Group (GASG/IdKF).
BACKGROUND
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common AIDS defining diagnoses.


METHODS
In a prospective observational trial all cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were evaluated. Patients with and without PCP-prophylaxis were compared for symptoms, efficacy, side effects and mortality at week 4 and 26.


RESULTS
293 patients developed a PCP episode. Patients with no prophylaxis had a significant lower CD4 cell count and a more severe clinical status at time of diagnosis. This was pronounced in the group with first positive HIV test at time of diagnosis. There was no difference in the rate of successful treatment between both groups. At week four a tendency to a better survival in the group with prophylaxis was observed, however this changed to a trend to a better survival at week 26 for the group without prophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Even in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment many patients present with PCP. Nearly 60% of patients presented without antiretroviral treatment or PCP-prophylaxis. Nearly 25% of all patients had their first HIV-test at time of PCP diagnosis.
Stoehr
A
A
Infektionsambulanz und Tagesklinik, AK. St. Georg, Lohmühlenstr. 5, D-20099 Hamburg, Germany. adstoehr@AOL.com
Arasteh
K
K
Staszewski
S
S
Brockmeyer
N
N
Albrecht
H
H
Mertenskötter
T
T
Jablonowski
H
H
Emminger
C
C
Rockstroh
J K
JK
Baumgarten
R
R
Bogner
J
J
Loch
T
T
Plettenberg
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents