title: The use of intravenous pentamidine for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in pediatric patients.
abstract: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia was common in the immunocompromised host before the widespread use of prophylaxis. When trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is not tolerated, prophylaxis with intravenous pentamidine (IVP) may be initiated. We performed a retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who received IVP regarding efficacy, safety, and reason for initiation. Of 106 patients included in our analysis, one patient tested positive for Pneumocystis DNA. Adverse events were reported in 18% of IVP courses, and main reason for initiation was cytopenia (59%). We found IVP to be effective and safe, and recommend the use of IVP in pediatric patients in whom first-line prophylaxis is contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology-Infections and Stem Cell Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Matthijs D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kruizinga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology-Infections and Stem Cell Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dorine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bresters
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology-Infections and Stem Cell Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frans J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Smiers
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology-Infections and Stem Cell Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arjan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lankester
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Immunology-Infections and Stem Cell Transplantation, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robbert G M
authors.initials: RGM
authors.lastname: Bredius
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010419:Pentamidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010419:Pentamidine
keywords: PCP; Pneumocystis; Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia; pentamidine; prophylaxis; stem cell transplantation