BACKGROUND: Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the preferred chemoprophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, there are frequent IgE-mediated reactions among children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral desensitization allows more patients to receive chemoprophylaxis, but it has been studied in only a limited number of children. METHODS: We desensitized five children infected with the HIV using a rapid, 4-h oral protocol. RESULTS: Three children (including two infants) successfully completed desensitization and started maintenance therapy, but the other two experienced reactions that precluded further administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a rapid, oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole desensitization protocol is safe and, in some instances, effective among HIV-infected children and infants with a history of non-life-threatening, IgE-mediated reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
BACKGROUND: Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is the preferred chemoprophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, there are frequent IgE-mediated reactions among children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral desensitization allows more patients to receive chemoprophylaxis, but it has been studied in only a limited number of children. METHODS: We desensitized five children infected with the HIV using a rapid, 4-h oral protocol. RESULTS: Three children (including two infants) successfully completed desensitization and started maintenance therapy, but the other two experienced reactions that precluded further administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a rapid, oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole desensitization protocol is safe and, in some instances, effective among HIV-infectedchildren and infants with a history of non-life-threatening, IgE-mediated reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Authors: M A Powles; P Liberator; J Anderson; Y Karkhanis; J F Dropinski; F A Bouffard; J M Balkovec; H Fujioka; M Aikawa; D McFadden; D Schmatz Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 1998-08 Impact factor: 5.191