Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole oral desensitization in hemophiliacs infected with human immunodeficiency virus with a history of hypersensitivity reactions

M. Kletzel, S. Beck, J. Elser, N. Shock and W. Burks
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Little Rock.

Hemophiliacs infected with human immunodeficiency virus with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to a combination product of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole were desensitized orally. Six of the seven patients included in the study successfully completed the desensitization protocol and received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 5 to 7 months after desensitization (mean length of treatment, 5.7 months) for prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The small number of patients and the short follow-up allow us to suggest that oral desensitization may be an effective and inexpensive means to treat hemophiliacs infected with human immunodeficiency virus with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.