Corticosteroids as adjunctive therapy in treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Lancet. 1987 Jun 27;1(8548):1477-9. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)92219-7.

Abstract

10 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome whose respiratory failure due to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was deteriorating rapidly had 7 days of intravenous methylprednisolone added to their antibiotic regimen. 8 similar patients were treated with antibiotic therapy alone. 9 of the 10 methylprednisolone-treated patients survived their episode of PCP, compared with 2 of the 8 conventionally treated patients. Clinical improvement was evident within 2 days of the start of steroid therapy, and in none of the 10 patients did clinical deterioration or recurrence of PCP occur on cessation of steroid therapy. In 1 steroid-treated patient disseminated herpes zoster developed 2 days after discontinuation of methylprednisolone. Methylprednisolone seems to be a useful adjunctive therapeutic agent for patients with AIDS in whom Pneumocystis carinii is the sole respiratory pathogen.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Acute Disease
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homosexuality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Methylprednisolone