Rapid oral desensitization to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ): use in prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS who were previously intolerant to TMP-SMZ. 1995

D Gluckstein, and J Ruskin
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is the drug of choice as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS. However, adverse reactions ascribed to TMP-SMZ are common in such patients. We previously described a rapid method of oral TMP-SMZ desensitization in patients with AIDS and varying degrees of intolerance to the drug. To assess the feasibility, safety, and long-term clinical utility of our desensitization protocol, we retrospectively studied 22 consecutive patients who underwent desensitization. Prior to the procedure each of the study subjects had exhibited moderate to severe reactions to TMP-SMZ. Desensitization was successfully completed in 19 (86%) of the patients. The three patients for whom desensitization failed experienced chills and/or vomiting that resolved promptly with symptomatic therapy. One of the 19 patients was unavailable for long-term follow-up. Of the remaining 18 patients, three discontinued taking TMP-SMZ within 2 weeks of desensitization because of macular rash and fever. The other 15 (71%) of the evaluable patients tolerated both desensitization and subsequent prophylaxis and took TMP-SMZ for a mean of 14 months (in some cases, for as long as 41 months). None had P. carinii pneumonia while receiving TMP-SMZ. These results indicate that most patients who are presumed to be TMP-SMZ-intolerant can be rapidly desensitized with oral TMP-SMZ and subsequently receive the drug for protracted periods as effective prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011020 Pneumonia, Pneumocystis A pulmonary disease in humans occurring in immunodeficient or malnourished patients or infants, characterized by DYSPNEA, tachypnea, and HYPOXEMIA. Pneumocystis pneumonia is a frequently seen opportunistic infection in AIDS. It is caused by the fungus PNEUMOCYSTIS JIROVECII. The disease is also found in other MAMMALS where it is caused by related species of Pneumocystis. P carinii Pneumonia,P. carinii Pneumonia,P. jirovecii Pneumonia,PCP Pneumonia,Pneumocystis Pneumonia,Pneumocystosis,Pneumonia, Interstitial Plasma Cell,PCP Infection,Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia,Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia,Pneumonia, Pneumocystis carinii,Infection, PCP,P carinii Pneumonias,P. carinii Pneumonias,P. jirovecii Pneumonias,PCP Infections,PCP Pneumonias,Pneumocystis Pneumonias,Pneumocystoses,Pneumonia, P carinii,Pneumonia, P. carinii,Pneumonia, P. jirovecii,Pneumonia, PCP,Pneumonia, Pneumocystis jirovecii,Pneumonias, PCP
D003888 Desensitization, Immunologic Immunosuppression by the administration of increasing doses of antigen. Though the exact mechanism is not clear, the therapy results in an increase in serum levels of allergen-specific IMMUNOGLOBULIN G, suppression of specific IgE, and an increase in suppressor T-cell activity. Allergen Immunotherapy,Allergy Shots,Hyposensitization Therapy,Immunotherapy, Allergen,Venom Immunotherapy,Immunologic Desensitization,Therapy, Hyposensitization,Allergen Immunotherapies,Allergy Shot,Desensitizations, Immunologic,Hyposensitization Therapies,Immunologic Desensitizations,Immunotherapy, Venom,Shot, Allergy,Venom Immunotherapies
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993. AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency
D000284 Administration, Oral The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth. Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000707 Anaphylaxis An acute hypersensitivity reaction due to exposure to a previously encountered ANTIGEN. The reaction may include rapidly progressing URTICARIA, respiratory distress, vascular collapse, systemic SHOCK, and death. Anaphylactic Reaction,Anaphylactoid Reaction,Anaphylactoid Shock,Shock, Anaphylactic,Anaphylactic Reactions,Anaphylactic Shock,Anaphylactoid Reactions,Reaction, Anaphylactic,Reaction, Anaphylactoid,Shock, Anaphylactoid

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