Determination of the inhibitory effect on Toxoplasma growth in the serum of AIDS patients during acute therapy for toxoplasmic encephalitis

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. 1998 Sep 1;19(1):50-4. doi: 10.1097/00042560-199809010-00008.

Abstract

In 26 AIDS patients treated for toxoplasmic encephalitis, the inhibitory effect on Toxoxplasma growth of sequential sera taken before and after initiation of therapy was determined using a culture-based immunoassay and compared with pyrimethamine blood levels. A marked inhibition of Toxoplasma growth was observed 1 day after initiation of therapy with pyrimethamine plus sulfadiazine and was maintained between 67% and 93% throughout the 15-day follow-up period. The degree of inhibition was not correlated to pyrimethamine blood levels and seemed highly potentiated when sulfadiazine rather than macrolides was given in combination with pyrimethamine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / blood
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents / blood
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Encephalitis / drug therapy*
  • Encephalitis / parasitology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Macrolides
  • Male
  • Pyrimethamine / blood
  • Pyrimethamine / pharmacology
  • Pyrimethamine / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfadiazine / pharmacology
  • Sulfadiazine / therapeutic use*
  • Toxoplasma / drug effects*
  • Toxoplasma / growth & development
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / drug therapy*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / parasitology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Macrolides
  • Sulfadiazine
  • Pyrimethamine