[Treatment of mild to moderately severe Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with cotrimoxazole versus pentamidine aerosol. Preliminary results of a prospective randomized therapy study].

In an open, prospective, randomized study we compared efficacy and side effects of 8 g/d cotrimoxazole (TMP/SMX) i.v. vs. 600 mg aerosolized pentamidine. 29 of 60 planned case record forms are now evaluated. Efficacy in both groups was comparable, but side effects in the pentamidine arm were very rare (7.2% vs. 40% in the TMP/SMX group). In moderate pneumocystis carinii pneumonia aerosolized pentamidine could be the first choice therapy. Necessary conditions are to use proper inhalation systems, experience, and the treatment of relevant accompaning bacterias, which we found in 80% of pneumocystis carinii positive bronchoalveolar lavages.