Could Sulfasalazine Prevent Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia?

In a case-control study of rheumatoid arthritis patients, this drug was associated with lower risk for PJP.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) can occur in patients who receive prednisone, methotrexate, and biologic medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients often do not receive prophylaxis with recommended agents because of drug allergies, side effects, or cost. Mice models have suggested that sulfasalazine (SSZ) promotes fungal clearance from the lungs, and a small case series suggested that SSZ might prevent PJP in RA patients.

In a retrospective case-control study, 60 Japanese RA patients who were hospitalized with PJP were compared with 356 unmatched RA controls and 337 RA controls matched by index year, age, sex, and RA medication use. SSZ use was associated with significantly lower risk for PJP (adjusted odds ratios, 0.18 and 0…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Could Sulfasalazine Prevent Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia?

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Reviewing Author