Radiographic resolution of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in response to corticosteroid therapy.

Systemic corticosteroid therapy alone was administered to a patient with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Substantial clinical improvement and almost complete chest radiographic resolution of parenchymal infiltrates occurred. Because spontaneous resolution of P. carinii pneumonia is not known to occur, corticosteroid therapy most likely was responsible for the favorable response. Given the high mortality associated with P. carinii infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a randomized double blind study of corticosteroid therapy for P. carinii pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome may be warranted.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes