A followup study of asymptomatic carriers of Pneumocystis jiroveci during immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the preventive effects of prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci-induced pneumonia (PCP) in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are colonized by this organism.


METHODS
We performed molecular testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for P. jiroveci on induced sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of 82 patients with RA. During primary prophylaxis, asymptomatic carriers of this organism were examined by high-resolution computed tomography and PCR every 2 weeks. RA patients who had developed PCP received PCR tests every week. Once negative results were obtained, PCR testing was scheduled at Months 1, 3, and 6, followed by reexaminations every 6 months.


RESULTS
We found 9 cases of asymptomatic carriage of P. jiroveci. All the carriers had received low doses of methotrexate. Upon introduction of PCP prophylaxis, 5 cases tested negative for PCR within 1 month. Three carriers developed PCP before starting prophylaxis, but these tested negative for PCR after short periods (1-2 weeks) of PCP treatment. Once P. jiroveci was eradicated, all cases maintained negative PCR results during followup without prophylactic intervention, even after resuming immunosuppressive therapy. One patient refused PCP prophylaxis, but no PCP developed.


CONCLUSIONS
RA patients with asymptomatic carriage of P. jiroveci benefited from short-term prophylaxis against PCP. Positive PCR results appeared to be predictive of future development of PCP in RA patients. Identification of P. jiroveci carriers will encourage prompt introduction of PCP prophylaxis when rheumatologists consider immunosuppressive therapy for RA.
Mori
Shunsuke
S
Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic Disease, NHO Kumamoto Saishunsou National Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan. moris@saisyunsou1.hosp.go.jp
Cho
Isamu
I
Sugimoto
Mineharu
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate