PROBENECID HYPERSENSITIVITY IN AIDS - A CASE-REPORT

Background: Cidofovir plus probenecid is a new therapeutic alternative for refractory cytomegalovirus and acyclovir-resistant herpes infecti ons in AIDS patients. Probenecid is used in conjunction with the antih erpetic medication (cidofovir) in order to reduce the incidence of nep hrotoxicity by cidofovir. Objective: To present therapeutic alternativ es for successful administration of probenecid to AIDS patients who de velop a hypersensitivity reaction to the medication. Methods and Resul ts: We describe a patient with AIDS who was being treated with the cid ofovir/probenecid combination for a peri-anal acyclovir-resistant herp etic infection. The patient subsequently developed a cutaneous hyperse nsitivity reaction to probenecid alone. A pretreatment regimen consist ing of prednisone, H-1 and H-2 blockers was administered before the do sing of probenecid in order for the patient to continue with the antiv iral therapy. Conclusion: Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to prob enecid may be seen more frequently with the increasing use of cidofovi r in AIDS patients. Our pretreatment protocol is one therapeutic alter native to be considered in order to continue with probenecid.