Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0032285 (pneumonia)
 54,520 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We compared the infections encountered in 23 renal transplant patients given the monoclonal anti-T-cell antibody, Orthoclone OKT3 (OKT3), for treatment of steroid-resistant rejection in 1986 and in 23 control patients from 1984 to 1985 with resistant rejection matched demographically, for severity of rejection and for risk factors predisposing to infection, who did not receive OKT3; recipients of OKT3 received substantially less prednisone, cyclosporine, and antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) than control patients for treatment of the rejection episode. Fourteen (61%) patients given OKT3 developed one or more infections in the 3-month period following treatment as compared with 9 control patients (39%) given conventional antirejection therapy with high-dose steroids and, usually, ALG. Patients given OKT3 were significantly more likely to develop serious infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, or severe viral infection; 16 episodes vs. 4, P = .02). Six recipients of OKT3 (26%) acquired infections typically encountered in states associated with depressed cell-mediated immunity (CMI)--Listeria sepsis (2), disseminated nocardiosis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (1), cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia (1), Yersinia infection with severe dermatophytosis (1), and Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative syndrome (1)--as compared with 1 case of mild CMV infection in the control group (P = .08). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) was given to 19 patients in each group; all 4 recipients of OKT3 who did not receive TMP-SMZ prophylaxis developed life-threatening infection, 3, bacteremia (2 with Listeria) and 1, disseminated nocardiosis and M tuberculosis infection. These data suggest that OKT3 given for treatment of resistant rejection in renal transplantation predisposes the patient to serious infection, particularly with opportunistic pathogens characteristically associated with depressed cell-mediated immunity. Prophylaxis with TMP-SMZ, which is safe, well tolerated, and effective for reducing the incidence of infection in renal transplantation, may be especially important during OKT3 therapy.
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PMID:Increased infections associated with the use of OKT3 for treatment of steroid-resistant rejection in renal transplantation. 327 66

The clinical and laboratory characteristics of 27 patients during an outbreak of pneumonia due to Legionella micdadei were reviewed. These patients were compared with a group of 46 patients who had other causes of nosocomial acquired pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia due to L micdadei typically had nosocomial acquisition of the disease and were immunosuppressed. Symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory tests were nonspecific; however, patients with pneumonia due to L micdadei had an increased frequency of pleuritic pain in the chest, dyspnea, cough, and changes in mental status compared to the nosocomial group. Direct fluorescent antibody staining and culture of sputum and other respiratory secretions established the diagnosis of infection with L micdadei. Unusual features included dual infections in three patients and pulmonary cavitation in five patients. Therapy with erythromycin, when instituted early, decreased mortality. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, used as alternative therapy in patients with persistent infection, was also curative. Because of the high mortality associated with a delay in diagnosis, it is important to consider the diagnosis of pneumonia due to L micdadei in immunosuppressed patients.
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PMID:A comparative study of Legionella micdadei and other nosocomial acquired pneumonia. 633 21

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) represents a new epidemic of major proportions. Risk factors include homosexuality, intravenous drug abuse, Haitian descent, and multiple transfusion in the presence of hemophilia A. The etiology of AIDS remains unknown, but there is increasing evidence implicating a transmissible infectious agent and/or multiple antigenic exposures inducing a loss of immunoregulation. In a high-risk patient, the features of weight loss, generalized lymphadenopathy, and fever should arouse suspicion of AIDS. Diagnostic confirmation includes demonstration of reduced numbers of T lymphocytes with reversal of helper-suppressor T-lymphocyte ratio, presence of unusual opportunistic infections, and a progressive downhill course. The most common infection in AIDS is Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Treatment failures with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) are common; pentamidine isethionate (Lomidine) may be more effective in eradicating the infection. In spite of initial improvement, recurrences of P carinii pneumonia and other opportunistic infections are common. In addition, other protozoan, viral, fungal, and atypical mycobacterial infections are frequent in patients with AIDS. Finally, rare neoplasms such as Kaposi's sarcoma and B-cell lymphoma, including primary lymphoma of the brain, are also being recognized as complications. At present there is no specific therapy for AIDS, and the disease is usually fatal. Continued research will hopefully result in immunomodulation techniques and specific vaccines to combat this serious epidemic.
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PMID:Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. A deadly new disease. 660 12

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is effective in both the treatment and the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis. After initial evaluation in an animal model, TMP-SMZ was shown to be as clinically effective as pentamidine isethionate for the treatment of pneumonitis in children with cancer and to have minimal adverse effects. Treatment with TMP-SMZ (20 mg of TMP and 100 mg of SMZ per kg of body weight per day) was successful in three-fourths of patients tested. Administered prophylactically, TMP-SMZ (5.0 mg of TMP and 25 mg of SMZ per kg of body weight per day) prevented P. carinii infection in high-risk immunocompromised patients. Studies of the unstructured delivery of prophylactic TMP-SMZ have demonstrated the regimen to be feasible and effective, with a favorable benefit-risk ratio for a large number of children with cancer.
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PMID:Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis in children. 698 Nov 76

Ten cases of Pseudomonas maltophilia bacteremia were identified over a five-year period at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Our experience and a review of the literature show that P. maltophilia can cause a wide spectrum of disease. We present cases of pneumonia and infections of the biliary tract and urinary tract in which the organism was isolated simultaneously from blood. P. maltophilia endocarditis occurs in the context of iv drug abuse or as a postoperative complication of prosthetic valve surgery. Pseudobacteremia from contaminated equipment, disinfectants, and vascular catheters is the newest presentation for P. maltophilia infection. Hospitalization and prior antibiotic therapy are risk factors for serious P. maltophilia infection. Mortality due to P. maltophilia infection is low, despite the notable in vitro resistance of the organism to antibiotics. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, minocycline, doxycycline, and moxalactam are highly active in vitro against P. maltophilia. The triple combination of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole plus carbenicillin plus rifampin has been found to be synergistic in vitro and can be considered for serious infections.
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PMID:Infections caused by Pseudomonas maltophilia with emphasis on bacteremia: case reports and a review of the literature. 715 59

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is the drug of choice as prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS. However, adverse reactions ascribed to TMP-SMZ are common in such patients. We previously described a rapid method of oral TMP-SMZ desensitization in patients with AIDS and varying degrees of intolerance to the drug. To assess the feasibility, safety, and long-term clinical utility of our desensitization protocol, we retrospectively studied 22 consecutive patients who underwent desensitization. Prior to the procedure each of the study subjects had exhibited moderate to severe reactions to TMP-SMZ. Desensitization was successfully completed in 19 (86%) of the patients. The three patients for whom desensitization failed experienced chills and/or vomiting that resolved promptly with symptomatic therapy. One of the 19 patients was unavailable for long-term follow-up. Of the remaining 18 patients, three discontinued taking TMP-SMZ within 2 weeks of desensitization because of macular rash and fever. The other 15 (71%) of the evaluable patients tolerated both desensitization and subsequent prophylaxis and took TMP-SMZ for a mean of 14 months (in some cases, for as long as 41 months). None had P. carinii pneumonia while receiving TMP-SMZ. These results indicate that most patients who are presumed to be TMP-SMZ-intolerant can be rapidly desensitized with oral TMP-SMZ and subsequently receive the drug for protracted periods as effective prophylaxis for P. carinii pneumonia.
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PMID:Rapid oral desensitization to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ): use in prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with AIDS who were previously intolerant to TMP-SMZ. 779 84

Several drugs have been shown to have anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity in clinical trials. Because of the large number of patients required, no more than 3 drugs can be compared for efficacy in human studies. However, the experimental animal model for P. carinii pneumonitis is remarkably similar to the human disease and was used to compare 10 drugs for the relative potency against this infection. All drugs were compared at doses known to prevent the pneumonitis in > 80% of animals and at one-tenth of this dose. Drugs effective at the lowest dose were further tested at one-hundredth the original doses, and drugs ineffective were retested at 10 and 100 times the original dose. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was the most effective drug, with azithromycin-sulfamethoxazole and clarithromycin-sulfamethoxazole next most effective. Intravenous pentamidine and clindamycin-primaquine were the least effective. Atovaquone, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, erythromycin-sulfisoxazole, PS-15, and dapsone-trimethoprim had intermediate activity.
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PMID:Relative potency of 10 drugs with anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity in an animal model. 793 Jul 35

Although no specific infection is limited entirely to hosts with T-lymphocyte defects, certain microbial organisms have an affinity for such individuals. Effective, safe, and feasible methods are available for the prevention of two of the major life-threatening infections in patients with T-lymphocyte defects, although none of these methods is ideal. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administered orally daily or thrice weekly is highly effective for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. For patients who cannot tolerate this drug combination, monthly inhalation of aerosolized pentamidine is an alternative prophylactic approach. Additional drugs in clinical or preclinical trials offer promise for use in preventing this pneumonitis. Varicella is one of the most frequent serious viral infections in patients with cancer, especially children. Varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) has proven effective in reducing the frequency of infection in exposed susceptible individuals; however, breakthrough infections are not uncommon. Of 358 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 62 received VZIG following exposure to varicella, and 16 (26%) of these had breakthrough varicella. A live attenuated varicella-zoster virus vaccine offers promise, especially for the universal immunization of individuals before immunocompromise occurs.
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PMID:Prevention of infections in patients with T cell defects. 827 2

Toxoplasma gondii pneumonia developed 27 days after retransplantation for chronic rejection in a liver transplant recipient receiving tacrolimus as primary immunosuppression. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole had been discontinued (due to cytopenia) before the onset of T gondii pneumonia. T gondii was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by growth in fibroblast cell culture routinely used for the isolation of viruses and detected in lung on autopsy. Tissue culture used for the detection of viruses can also be diagnostically useful for the detection of T gondii.
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PMID:Toxoplasma gondii pneumonitis in a liver transplant recipient: implications for diagnosis. 934 64

Early effective management of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia improves outcome in patients with this disorder. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remains the agent of choice for treatment of severe P. carinii pneumonia. Pentamidine, trimethoprim-dapsone, atovaquone, and other regimens are useful in selected clinical situations. Adjunctive corticosteroids are indicated in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and P. carinii pneumonia who have moderate to severe P. carinii pneumonia defined as a room air arterial PaO2 less than 70 mm Hg or an alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient of greater than 35 mm Hg. The use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, dapsone, and aerosolized pentamidine in immunocompromised patients without AIDS is also reviewed.
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PMID:Treatment and prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. 987 26


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