[Pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine as a preventive treatment for Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasma encephalitis].

BACKGROUND

Few studies have been reported on the potential usefulness of Fansidar combination at a fixed doses of pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine as prophylaxis for pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and toxoplasmic encephalitis.

METHODS

The clinical histories of the patients seen in our department from January, 1992 to December, 1994 who were prescribed pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine for the above prophylactic treatment were reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty clinical histories fulfilled the requisites for evaluation. Thirty-seven patients (24%) had a previous diagnosis of AIDS, with the median CD4 count being of 134/mm3. The median follow up of treatment with Fansidar was of 31 months. Twenty-eight cases of pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii (6.9 cases for 100 patients-years) and 10 cases of toxoplasmic encephalitis (2.5 cases for 100 patients-years) were diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

These values are similar to those presented with respect to other pharmacologic interventions commonly used for the prevention of pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and toxoplasmic encephalitis and suggest that pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine is a useful alternative and requires consideration in individualized cases for the prophylaxis of these diseases.