June 1999
Prevention Extension
by Lark Lands
People are talking, and what they want to know is “If my CD4s go above
200 on HAART, can I quit my PCP prophylaxis?” It may not be that easy,
according to new findings reported by John Mellors, MD, and his
colleagues. Using the time-honored Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study data,
they found that in those with CD4 counts above 200 and viral loads over
30,000, the incidence of PCP was equal to or greater than that seen in
those with counts below 200 and viral loads below 30,000. Mellors
proposes that all patients with viral loads above 30,000—regardless of
CD4 count—protect themselves against PCP.
