An efficacy study of itraconazole in the treatment of Penicillium marneffei infection.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole in treating P. marneffei infection.


METHODS
Ten patients with previously untreated P. marneffei infection were given oral itraconazole at a dose of 200 mg twice a day for 2 months, followed by a dose of 100 mg once a day for 1 month. Efficacy was determined by the clinical and microbiological cure.


RESULTS
All but one patient were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Two patients died during therapy. Clinical improvement was evident in 8 patients. In 7 of these, the mean duration for becoming culture negative was 57 days. Five patients presented with relapse of P. marneffei infection within four months after completion of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Itraconazole was shown to be effective in the initial treatment of P. marneffei infection. Relapse after treatment is common and long-term suppressive therapy is recommended.
Supparatpinyo
K
K
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Chiewchanvit
S
S
Hirunsri
P
P
Baosoung
V
V
Uthammachai
C
C
Chaimongkol
B
B
Sirisanthana
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000187:drug effects*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole