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

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.