The effectiveness of desensitization versus rechallenge treatment in HIV-positive patients with previous hypersensitivity to TMP-SMX: a randomized multicentric study

Our study was undertaken to evaluate if desensitization treatment is more e ffective than rechallenge in preventing hypersensitivity reactions in HIV-p ositive patients with previous allergic reactions to TMP-SMX; the secondary aim was to evaluate the frequency of reactions to TMP alone. This was a randomized, multicentre open study. Patients with previous docum ented hypersensitivity to TMP-SMX who required primary or secondary PCP pro phylaxis were enrolled; subjects who had previously had serious adverse rea ctions to TMP-SMX were excluded. All eligible patients assumed 200 mg TMP f or 14 days and in case of no reactions were randomized for desensitization or rechallenge with TMP-SMX. The patients were then followed up by periodic al visits for six months. Seventy-three patients were enrolled; 14 subjects (19%) presented reactions on TMP alone during the pre-enrollment phase. Th e remaining 59 subjects were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups: 34 carried out desensitization (group 1) and 25 rechallenge (group 2) with TMP-SMX. Seven patients in group 1 (20.5%) and seven in group 2 (28%) showed hyperse nsitivity reactions during treatment; this difference was not statistically significant. No serious reaction occurred in either group. This study showed the comparable effectiveness of the desensitization proce dure and rechallenge in patients with a previous, not serious, allergic rea ction to TMP-SMX. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS .