Progression of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in patients receiving echinocandin therapy.
Echinocandins are a novel class of antifungal drugs that target beta (1, 3)-D-glucan synthesis. Animal studies have shown that these agents have activity against Pneumocystis jiroveci infection; however, clinical data are lacking. We reviewed all cases of proven P. jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) in non-human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients at our hospital over a 5 year period (2001-2005). Two patients received conventional PCP treatment and concomitant use of echinocandins for presumed invasive aspergillus. In both cases, PCP progressed, and the patient died. The use of echinocandins in the prevention or treatment of PCP cannot be recommended without evidence to support their effectiveness.
Kamboj
Mini
M
Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. kambojm@mskcc.org
Weinstock
David
D
Sepkowitz
Kent A
KA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D054714:Echinocandins; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D054714:Echinocandins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C007572:echinocandin B