附件：封面格式
行政院國家科學委員會補助專題研究計畫成果
報告
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Safety of Early Discontinuation of Prophylaxis Against Pneumocystis carinii
Pneumonia in Patients with Advanced Stage of HIV-1 Infection: A Prospective Study
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計畫類別：V 個別型計畫 □整合型計畫
計畫編號：NSC90-2320-B-002-112
執行期間：90 年 8 月 1 日至 91 年 7 月 31 日
計畫主持人：洪健清
本成果報告包括以下應繳交之附件：
□赴國外出差或研習心得報告一份
□赴大陸地區出差或研習心得報告一份
□出席國際學術會議心得報告及發表之論文各一份
□國際合作研究計畫國外研究報告書一份
執行單位：台大醫學院寄生蟲學科
中
華
民
國九十一年十月三十一日
ABSTRACT
From June 1999 to June 2002, 156 HIV-1-infected patients, 142 males, with a median age of 36 years (range, 23-73 years) who had an initial CD4+ cell count<100 x 106/L (median CD4+, 25 x 106/L; range, 0-93 x 106/L) and plasma viral load (PVL) of 382,000 copies/ml (RT-PCR) were enrolled in a prospective observational study aiming to ascertain if primary and secondary prophylaxis could be discontinued earlier than what is now recommended by the USPHS/IDSA guidelines for prevention of opportunistic infections, that is, CD4+≥200 x 106
/L on two occasions with an interval of 3 months. As of October 31, 2002, at least 107 patients had discontinued PCP prophylaxis after HAART when their median CD4+ increased to 104 x 106/L (range, 2-586 x 106/L) and median PVL decreased to <400 copies/ml after a median observation duration of 14 months (range, 4-40 months). Of the 107 patients, 61 had CD4+≥100 x 106
/L and 68 PVL<400 copies/ml. Bacterial infections developed in 17 patients (7 pneumonia or bronchitis) and new opportunistic infections in 27 patients (31 episodes), including 1 toxoplasmosis and 3 PCP. The three patients who developed PCP had virologic and immunologic failure despite HAART. We conclude that in HIV-1-infected patients who had initial CD4+ count<100 x 106/L, earlier discontinuation of PCP prophylaxis when CD4+ increases to≥100 x 106
/L is safe if they respond favorably to HAART.
Key Wor ds: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; HIV-1 infection; highly active
antiretroviral therapy; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; prophylaxis
BACKGROUND
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia remains the most common cause of
AIDS-defining opportunistic infections in HIV-1-infected patients who had CD4+ count<200 x 106/L. In order to prevent development of PCP, the expert panel of USPHS and IDSA recommend prophylaxis be given to patients with CD4<200 x 106/L.
With introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), morbidity and mortality of patients with HIV-1 infection has dramatically declined. Restoration of immunity after plasma viral load is suppressed become possible. Since 1999, several investigators have found that primary and secondary prophylaxis may be safely discontinued if patient’s CD4+count has increased to ≥200 x 106/L on two occasions with an interval of 3 months. However, discontinuation of prophylaxis in several patients with CD4+<200 x 106/L did not bring with it PCP as long as patients continue to receive HAART, regardless PVL in one study. Therefore, we hypothesize
that prophylaxis against PCP can be safely discontinued when CD4+ increases to ≥100 x 106
/L.
OBJ ECTIVES
This prospective observational study aimed to ascertain if prophylaxis against PCP can be safely discontinued when CD4+ increases to ≥100 x 106/L in 156 consecutive HIV-1-infected patients (142 males) with a median age of 36 years (range, 23-73 years) enrolled from June 1999 to June 2002 who had an initial CD4+ cell count<100 x 106/L (median CD4+, 25 x 106/L; range, 0-93 x 106/L) and plasma viral load (PVL) of 382,000 copies/ml (RT-PCR). The secondary end point was development of bacterial infections or new opportunistic infections other than PCP.
RESULTS
As of October 31, 2002, at least 107 patients had discontinued PCP prophylaxis after HAART when their median CD4+ increased to 104 x 106/L (range, 2-586 x 106/L) and median PVL decreased to <400 copies/ml after a median observation duration of 14 months (range, 4-40 months). Of the 107 patients, 61 had CD4+≥100 x 106/L and 68 PVL<400 copies/ml. 41 patients discontinued prophylaxis before CD4+ increase to≥100 x 106
/L because of adverse effects (27 patients) and loss to follow-up (14). Over the median observation duration of 14 months (range, 4-40 months), bacterial infections developed in 17 patients (7 pneumonia or bronchitis) and new opportunistic infections in 27 patients (31 episodes), including 1 toxoplasmosis and 3 PCP. The most common new OI was herpes zoster (11 episodes), followed by NTM/MAC infection (5), CMV disease (4) and TB (3). The three patients who developed PCP had virologic and immunologic failure despite HAART because of poor adherence. We conclude that in HIV-1-infected patients who had initial CD4+ count<100 x 106/L, earlier discontinuation of PCP prophylaxis is afe if the patients continued to receive HAART and adhere to HIV care provided.
DISCUSSION
Our study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of early discontinuation of primary and secondary prophylaxis. The rationale of this study was that nearly
one-third of the patients developed adverse effects, especially allergic reactions, to the prophylactic regimens prescribed, most commonly, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A substantial proportion of the patients with adverse effects could not tolerate rechallenge or switch to other regimens. Therefore, if our results are confirmed by other investigators, the recommendations of preventing PCP can be revised.
The findings of our study showed that no episodes of PCP developed in patients who continued to receive HAART and adhered to HIV care which should be
reassuring to the clinicians caring for HIV-infected patients at advanced stage of HIV infection who initiate HART and are intolerant of the prophylaxis regimens. Moreover, early discontinuation of antimicrobial therapy may reduce the risk for emergence of bacterial antimicrobial resistance, reduce pill burden and risk of complicated drug-drug interactions, and may have positive psychologic impact on the patients.
SELF-ASSESSMENT
The study was well conducted and the results may have a great impact on HIV care if the results are confirmed. The limitations are shorter observation duration, small case number, and not a randomized placebo control study.
REFERENCES
1. Guidelines for prevention of opportunistic infections among HIV-infected persons-2002. Recommendations of the US Public Heath Service and Infectious Disease Society of America. MMWR 2002;51 (RR-8):1-61.
2. Weverling GJ, Mocroft A, Ledergerber B, et al. Discontinuation of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis after start of highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infection. EuroSIDA Study Group. Lancet 1999;353: 1293-8.
