Abstract
Without treatment, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis is almost always fatal in the immunocompromised host. Here, Walter Hughes discusses proven and potential treatments, and methods of chemoprophylaxis in high-risk patients. Two drugs, pentamidine isethionate and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, are equally effective therapeutically - permitting the recovery of approximately 75% of patients - but the latter drug combination is preferred because of its lower toxicity and fewer adverse effects. The pneumonitis can be prevented by prophylactic administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Other drugs with proven efficacy or under study include Fansidar, dapsone, trimetrexate and difluoromethylornithine.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 332-335 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Parasitology Today |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1987 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology