Withdrawal of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis after HAART in patients with AIDS. A study of 85 cases

OBJECTIVES: TO analyse the incidence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia afte r the withdrawal of prophylaxis, in patients with AIDS who were receiving H AART (highly active antiretroviral treatment). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective opened study of 85 patients with AIDS (CD 4 lymphocytes < 200 x 10(6)/l) and whose CD4 counts had increased over 200 x 10(6)/l after HAART, 79 were under primary prophylaxis and six secondary. RESULTS: Mean CD4 lymphocites count at the time of withdrawal was 343 x 10( 6)/l. Mean time of follow-up after withdrawal was 358 days (range: 93-1,487 ; median: 302). None of the patients have had Pneumocystis carinii or toxop lasmosis after withdrawal of prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Pneomocystis carinii prophylaxis in AIDS patients might be saf ely withdrawn after efective HAART.