[Preventive pentamidine inhalation in patients with HIV infection (CD3 and CD4) in ambulatory practice]

Over a time-period of twelve months in a one-center drug monitoring trial a) the efficacy of pentamidine-aerosol for the prophylaxis of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and b) the patient compliance was investigated. The results of 73 patients who have been treated since the fourth quarter 1988, were evaluated. None of the patients developed pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Two patients on suspicion of beginning pneumocystis carinii pneumonia improved their clinical and radiological state with higher dosages of pentamidine. 86% of the patients had inhalations for at least once a month, which can be accounted as good compliance. According to our experience pentamidine inhalation prophylaxis is appropriate to outpatient treatment.