title: [Cryptococcosis of the central nervous system].
abstract: The steps for diagnosis and treatment and the clinical course followed in three patients with Cryptococcus meningitidis are discussed. One of them was treated with 5-flurocytosine alone. Two consecutive patients were treated with a combination of 5-flurocytosine and amphotericin B. The objectives of the study were: a) to achieve a therapeutic response better than that which might be obtained with either drug alone, b) to use lower doses of 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B in order to reduce toxicity, c) to extend treatment only for a period of four weeks, thus decreasing the period of hospitalization. None of the patients has relapsed. A shorter time of hospitalization and reduction in toxicity, suggests that combined therapy is a safe and effective alternative to other regimens.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003596:Cytosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000666:Amphotericin B; D003596:Cytosine; D005437:Flucytosine
vernacular_title: Criptococosis del sistema nervioso central