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. 1978 Jun;13(6):975–978. doi: 10.1128/aac.13.6.975

Combination of Pentamidine and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in the Therapy of Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in Rats

Ronica M Kluge 1, David M Spaulding 2, Alan J Spain 2
PMCID: PMC352374  PMID: 307941

Abstract

Treatment with either pentamidine isethionate or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole significantly reduces the mortality of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. It is not known whether a combination might act in an additive, synergistic, or antagonistic manner. We studied the interaction of these two agents in the steroid-conditioned rat model of pneumocystosis. Of animals receiving pentamidine alone, 48% died and 45% had P. carinii cysts at autopsy. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole alone resulted in 21% mortality, and cysts were found in 28%. Both agents in full doses resulted in 45% deaths and cysts in 37%. Animals treated with half-dosages of pentamidine plus trimethroprim-sulfamethoxazole had mortality of 35%, and 21% had cysts. Trimethoprim alone, in two dosages, was ineffective in eradicating P. carinii cysts. The data suggest that combination therapy is no more effective than trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole alone in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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