title: The effect of long-term intermittent trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole treatment on recurrences of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of long-term intermittent trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole treatment on recurrences of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized open-labeled interventional clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 124 patients with a history of recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis were randomized to treatment with one tablet of trimethoprim (160 mg)/sulfamethoxazole (800 mg) (Bactrim F; Roche Pharmaceuticals, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) every 3 days (61 patients) or to observation without treatment (63 patients) and were followed monthly for up to 20 consecutive months for clinical signs of disease recurrence. A recurrence was defined as a new focus of necrotizing retinochoroiditis with active inflammation either adjacent to or remote from preexisting retinochoroidal scars.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrences developed in four (6.6%) treated patients and in 15 (23.8%) controls (P =.01). Treatment was discontinued prematurely in four patients because of mild drug reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term intermittent treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole can reduce the rate of recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
authors.affiliation: Clínica Silveira, Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belfort
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muccioli
authors.forename: Gary N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Cesar G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Victora
authors.forename: Bernardo L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Horta
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Nussenblatt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination