Rapid oral desensitization to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in infants and children.

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.