Pneumocystis pneumonia in children receiving chemotherapy.

Abstract

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious complication of chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) given twice daily, 3 days every week is considered the best form of prophylaxis for PCP. We evaluated PCP prophylaxis in all children up to 18 years of age undergoing cancer chemotherapy over a 2-year period. Four children were diagnosed with PCP over 24 months. Two of 12 children on intravenous pentamidine, 1 of 143 on TMP-SMZ and 1 of 36 on dapsone for PCP prophylaxis developed PCP. Intravenous pentamidine may not be as effective as previously considered and should be used with caution.

• Authors: Pinki Prasad, Joseph J Nania, Sadhna M Shankar
• Journal: Pediatric blood & cancer (Pediatr Blood Cancer) Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pg. 896-8 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 1545-5017 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17458875 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Pentamidine
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Infant
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Male
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Opportunistic Infections (complications)
• Pentamidine (administration & dosage)
• Pneumonia, Pneumocystis (epidemiology, immunology, prevention & control)
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (therapeutic use)