Cryptosporidium in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: azithromycin revisited
Ramos, J.T.; Saavedra, J.; Ruiz-Contreras, J.
Journal of Pediatrics 130(6): 1009-1010
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3476 PMID: 9202631 Document Number: 479386
In response to an article by Hicks, P. et al. (Journal of Pediatrics (1996) 129, 297-300) on azithromycin therapy for Cryptosporidium parvum infection in children, 3 cases are described of children (aged 15 months to 10.5 years) with advanced perinatally acquired HIV infection (CD4+ cell counts from 15-60 cells/mmsuperscript 3) and Cryptosporidium infection. Treatment with 30-40 mg/kg azithromycin/day resulted in cessation of diarrhoea within 15 days and subsequent weight gain in all children. Cryptosporidium infection recurred frequently in 2 children who had associated cholangiopathy; secondary prophylaxis was given to both. In one of these, daily azithromycin was stopped at 4 months because of pseudomembranous colitis. The other patient continued to receive once-weekly azithromycin with good tolerance and without further relapses. The patients were relatively stable during the follow-up of 13-28 months. The efficacy and safety of azithromycin treatment for Cryptosporidium infection in HIV-infected patients is briefly discussed.