[Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine as a preventive treatment for Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasma encephalitis].
BACKGROUND
Few studies have been reported on the potential usefulness of Fansidar combination at a fixed doses of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine as prophylaxis for pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and toxoplasmic encephalitis.


METHODS
The clinical histories of the patients seen in our department from January, 1992 to December, 1994 who were prescribed pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine for the above prophylactic treatment were reviewed.


RESULTS
One hundred fifty clinical histories fulfilled the requisites for evaluation. Thirty-seven patients (24%) had a previous diagnosis of AIDS, with the median CD4 count being of 134/mm3. The median follow up of treatment with Fansidar was of 31 months. Twenty-eight cases of pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii (6.9 cases for 100 patients-years) and 10 cases of toxoplasmic encephalitis (2.5 cases for 100 patients-years) were diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
These values are similar to those presented with respect to other pharmacologic interventions commonly used for the prevention of pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and toxoplasmic encephalitis and suggest that pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine is a useful alternative and requires consideration in individualized cases for the prophylaxis of these diseases.
Teira
R
R
Sección de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital de Basurto, Bilbao.
Virosta
M
M
Baraia-Etxaburu
J
J
Muñoz
J
J
Zubero
Z
Z
Cisterna
R
R
Santamaría
J M
JM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013413:Sulfadoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016781:Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004338:Drug Combinations; C001205:fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination; D013413:Sulfadoxine; D011739:Pyrimethamine