A retrospective study of treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole

J Infect. 1998 Jul;37(1):15-8. doi: 10.1016/s0163-4453(98)90217-1.

Abstract

Aims of the study: a retrospective study was designed to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in AIDS patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis (TE).

Patients and methods: we reviewed 471 patients with AIDS, and we analysed 71 AIDS patients with TE, who received intravenous therapy with TMP-SMZ (TMP: 10 mg/kg/day, SMZ: 50 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks.

Results: 35 patients (49.2%) had a complete regression of clinical signs, and a complete resolution of radiological lesions was noted in 41 patients (57.7%). Improvement of clinical signs and radiological lesions were observed in 27 patients (38%), and in nine patients (12.6%), respectively. In contrast, nine patients (12.6%) did not show any clinical change, or worsened. Twenty-two patients (30.9%) suffered from adverse cutaneous reactions, whereas many patients had haematological toxicity.

Conclusions: TMP-SMZ seems to be an efficient therapy for TE in AIDS patients, although further prospective, randomized therapeutic trials are required to confirm these results.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / parasitology
  • Adult
  • Anti-Infective Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Infective Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / drug therapy*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / mortality
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / administration & dosage
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / adverse effects
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination