Therapy for Toxoplasma Encephalitis: Highlights of Neurological Research from the VIII International Conference on AIDS, Amsterdam, July 19-24, 1992
Seattle Treatment Education Project: STEP Perspective - Volume 4, Number 3 - October 1992 Lyn Frumkin, M.D., Ph.D.
Brain infection (encephalitis) caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma remains a major contributor to illness in persons with HIV disease. The most common treatment of Toxoplasma encephalitis is combination sulfadiazine- pyrimethamine therapy. A group led by Dr. David Fletcher as the University of Toronto provided further support that this combination therapy is successful. They have suggested another regimen that might also be effective. In a retrospective review of 63 persons with biopsy- proven or clinical-radiological evidence of Toxoplasma encephalitis, improvement of symptoms were note in almost 90 percent of persons on either sulfadiazene-pryrimethamine or clindamycin-pyriethamine (55 of the 63 persons). The remaining eight persons died during therapy but only two were thought to have died from Toxoplasma encephalitis.
COMMENT: It seems that these two treatments offer a high probability of success in treating this infection. The relative advantages of sulfa vs. clindamycin when combined with pyrimethamine in this study. However, the significant incidence of side effects-intolerance of sulfa drugs noted in a number of conference abstracts suggests that assessing various drug regimens should continue.
9210
STEP4319
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.