Premium
The use of intravenous pentamidine for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in pediatric patients
Author(s) -
Kruizinga Matthijs D.,
Bresters Dorine,
Smiers Frans J.,
Lankester Arjan C.,
Bredius Robbert G.M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.26453
Subject(s) - medicine , pentamidine , cytopenia , pneumocystis pneumonia , pneumocystis jirovecii , pneumonia , trimethoprim , sulfamethoxazole , adverse effect , pneumocystis carinii , intensive care medicine , retrospective cohort study , pediatrics , antibiotics , bone marrow , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia was common in the immunocompromised host before the widespread use of prophylaxis. When trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole is not tolerated, prophylaxis with intravenous pentamidine (IVP) may be initiated. We performed a retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who received IVP regarding efficacy, safety, and reason for initiation. Of 106 patients included in our analysis, one patient tested positive for Pneumocystis DNA. Adverse events were reported in 18% of IVP courses, and main reason for initiation was cytopenia (59%). We found IVP to be effective and safe, and recommend the use of IVP in pediatric patients in whom first‐line prophylaxis is contraindicated.