Abstract:

Objective To explore the factors affecting the duration of secondary prophylaxis for penicilliosis marneffei in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome （AIDS）. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. The study included 92 adult patients with AIDS and penicilliosis marneffei which were confirmed at the Guangxi Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Medecins Sans Frontieres clinic. The patients were divided into two groups based on the counts of CD4+ T cells at the time of discontinuation of secondary prophylaxis with itraconazole. The patients with a CD4+ lymphocyte count > or = 200 × 106 cells/L at the discontinuation of secondary prophylaxis were assigned to Group I, and those with a CD4+ lymphocyte count ranging from 100 × 106 to 200 × 106 cells/L to Group II. The treatment duration and clinical outcome were compared between the two groups, and factors which might affect the duration of secondary prophylaxis, including organ involvement, complications, antifungal regimen, antiviral treatment timing, and so on, were assessed. The SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. Results All the 92 patients received highly active antiretroviral therapy （HAART）. No significant difference was observed in the sex ratio, age, follow up duration, number of organs involved, occurrence of complications, composition and duration of antifungal treatment regimens between the two groups （all P > 0.05）. The duration of secondary prophylaxis was significantly shorter in Group II than in Group I （8.13 ± 5.13 vs. 12.44 ± 9.51 months, P < 0.05）. The commencement of HAART after the treatment of penicilliosis, coinfection with other pathogens or mycobacterium tuberculosis were associated with a longer duration of secondary prophylaxis, and the influence degree of these factors decreased in order, whereas the commencement of HAART before the treatment of penicilliosis was associated with a shorter secondary prophylaxis（P < 0.05）. Conclusions For AIDS/PSM patients receiving HAART, secondary prophylaxis could be discontinued 3 to 6 months after the CD4+ lymphocyte count restores to 100 × 106 cells/L or more. The duration of secondary prophylaxis may beextended by the commencement of HAART after the treatment of penicilliosis, coinfection with other pathogens or mycobacterium tuberculosis, but shortened by the commencement of HAART before the treatment of penicilliosis.