Fan Jin1, Xiao-Hang Liu2, Wen-Can Chen1, Zhang-Ling Fan1, Huan-Ling Wang3. 1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China. 2. Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China. 3. Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; Clinical Pharmacology Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China. Electronic address: wanghuanling@pumch.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of combination therapy of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) in moderate to severe pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in patients without human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and the relationship between therapeutic effect and plasma (1, 3) Beta-d-Glucan (BDG) levels. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HIV-negative patients with PJP diagnosed in our department, who were treated with combination therapy of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ or monotherapy of TMP/SMZ during a six and a half year period. RESULTS: A total of 126 moderate to severe PJP patients were enrolled in the study. In the multivariate analysis, low lymphocyte counts, high serum lactate dehydrogenase levels at the diagnosis of PJP and progression to shock were significant risk factors for death. In all patients, there was no significant difference in risk of death at 3 months. In the group of BDG≥800pg/m, patients receiving combination therapy was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death at 3 months, whereas in the group of BDG<800pg/ml, there were no statistically significant difference in survival rate between the two treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: High initial plasma (1, 3) Beta-d-Glucan concentration may be a predictor of satisfactory caspofungin response to HIV-negative patients with PJP. Based on our findings, we suggest the choice of combination therapy with caspofungin and TMP/SMZ as the initial treatment when BDG≥800pg/ml in moderate to severe HIV-negative patients with PJP.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of combination therapy of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) in moderate to severe pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in patients without human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) and the relationship between therapeutic effect and plasma (1, 3) Beta-d-Glucan (BDG) levels. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HIV-negative patients with PJP diagnosed in our department, who were treated with combination therapy of caspofungin and TMP/SMZ or monotherapy of TMP/SMZ during a six and a half year period. RESULTS: A total of 126 moderate to severe PJP patients were enrolled in the study. In the multivariate analysis, low lymphocyte counts, high serum lactate dehydrogenase levels at the diagnosis of PJP and progression to shock were significant risk factors for death. In all patients, there was no significant difference in risk of death at 3 months. In the group of BDG≥800pg/m, patients receiving combination therapy was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death at 3 months, whereas in the group of BDG<800pg/ml, there were no statistically significant difference in survival rate between the two treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: High initial plasma (1, 3) Beta-d-Glucan concentration may be a predictor of satisfactory caspofungin response to HIV-negative patients with PJP. Based on our findings, we suggest the choice of combination therapy with caspofungin and TMP/SMZ as the initial treatment when BDG≥800pg/ml in moderate to severe HIV-negative patients with PJP.