Pneumocystis pneumonia in children receiving chemotherapy.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious complication of chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) given twice daily, 3 days every week is considered the best form of prophylaxis for PCP. We evaluated PCP prophylaxis in all children up to 18 years of age undergoing cancer chemotherapy over a 2-year period. Four children were diagnosed with PCP over 24 months. Two of 12 children on intravenous pentamidine, 1 of 143 on TMP-SMZ and 1 of 36 on dapsone for PCP prophylaxis developed PCP. Intravenous pentamidine may not be as effective as previously considered and should be used with caution.
Prasad
Pinki
P
Divisions of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Nania
Joseph J
JJ
Shankar
Sadhna M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010419:Pentamidine; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination