Oral atovaquone for the treatment of severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
We present a case of severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and coexisting cytomegalovirus infection in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficient woman with anaplastic astrocytoma on temozolomide and corticosteroid therapy. She was successfully treated with oral atovaquone and ganciclovir. Atovaquone represents a safe alternative in severe Pneumocystis infection when trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) is contraindicated.
Douzinas
Emmanuel E
EE
3rd Department of Critical Care, Athens University, Evgenidion Hospital, 20 Papadiamantopoulou str., Athens, Greece.
Flevari
Katerina
K
Andrianakis
Ilias
I
Betrosian
Alex P
AP
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053626:Atovaquone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D045363:Pneumocystis carinii / Q000187:drug effects; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D053626:Atovaquone