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. 1990 Aug;87(15):5950–5954. doi: 10.1073/pnas.87.15.5950

Treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis inhibitors.

D M Schmatz 1, M A Romancheck 1, L A Pittarelli 1, R E Schwartz 1, R A Fromtling 1, K H Nollstadt 1, F L Vanmiddlesworth 1, K E Wilson 1, M J Turner 1
PMCID: PMC54447  PMID: 2198575

Abstract

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a major cause of death in AIDS patients in the United States. The presently available treatments have limited use due to a high incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a safer method for treatment and prevention of this disease. Recent evidence has suggested that P. carinii is related to fungi and that the wall of the cyst form contains 1,3-beta-glucan as a major constituent. Based on this, several proposed 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis inhibitors were evaluated for their ability to control P. carinii pneumonia in vivo. Compounds from two classes of 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis inhibitors, the echinocandins and papulacandins, were found to be effective against P. carinii.

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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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