Itraconazole in opportunistic mycoses: cryptococcosis and aspergillosis.
Striking results were obtained with oral itraconazole therapy in two opportunistic mycoses. Of 28 patients with cryptococcal meningitis, 18 achieved complete responses, including 16 of 24 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Other manifestations of cryptococcosis were similarly responsive. In aspergillosis 12 of 15 patients responded, including 8 of 10 immunocompromised hosts. These patients included those with invasive pulmonary disease (4/5), skeletal disease (2/2), pleural disease (1/2), and pericardial, sinus, mastoid, hepatosplenic, or nail disease (1/1). These results with itraconazole compare favorably to conventional (parenteral) therapy, and toxicity was minimal. This suggests that comparative trials are now in order.
Denning
D W
DW
Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128.
Tucker
R M
RM
Hanson
L H
LH
Stevens
D A
DA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence; D015996:Survival Rate
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D017964:Itraconazole; D007654:Ketoconazole