TreatmentUpdate41: Vol. 41 No. 1 - March, 1993
Sean Hosein

Researchers in the USA conducted one study called ACTG 021. This study enrolled 310 subjects. The average CD4+ cell count at the start of the trial was 56 cells. One hundred and fifty-four subjects were randomly assigned to receive Bactrim/Septra (B/S) 1 double-strength tablet daily. Another 156 other subjects were assigned to receive aerosol pentamidine (300 mg/month). All subjects knew which drug they were receiving. Subjects were allowed to take AZT, ddC or ddI. The researchers monitored at least half of the subjects for about 1-1/2 years.

Results--Who Got PCP?

Fifty subjects developed PCP, 14 of these were receiving B/S and 36 others were receiving AP. For the first 12 months of the study about 4% of subjects who received B/S developed PCP. By comparison, approximately 18% of subjects given AP developed PCP. Eighteen months into the trial 11% given B/S and 28% given AP developed PCP. These differences between subjects on B/S and others on AP were statistically significant, that is not likely due to chance alone.

* Overall, those subjects taking AP were 3 times more likely to get PCP compared to subjects getting B/S.

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Copyright © 1993 - TreatmentUpdate. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Editor, The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, 555 Richmond St. West, Suite 505, Box 1104, Toronto, ON, M5V 3B1 • Phone: 416-203-7122 • Toll Free: 1-800-263-1638 • Fax: 416-203-8284  http://www.catie.ca