title: Treatment of blastomycosis and histoplasmosis with ketoconazole. Results of a prospective randomized clinical trial. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group.
abstract: In a multicenter prospective randomized trial, the efficacy and toxicity of low-dose (400 mg/d) and high-dose (800 mg/d) oral ketoconazole were compared in 80 patients with blastomycosis and in 54 with histoplasmosis. Among 65 patients with blastomycosis treated for 6 months or more, high-dose treatment was more effective (100% success rate compared with 79%; p = 0.001). Among 19 patients with chronic cavitary histoplasmosis treated for 6 months or more, both regimens were equally effective (overall success rate, 84%). In 20 patients with localized or disseminated histoplasmosis treated for 6 months or more, low-dose treatment was more effective (100% success rate compared with 57%; p = 0.03). The success rate for all patients with histoplasmosis treated for 6 months or more was 85%. Adverse effects occurred in 81 of 134 patients (60%) and were commoner with the high-dose regimen. Ketoconazole is effective for immunocompetent patients with non-life-threatening, nonmeningeal forms of blastomycosis and histoplasmosis. Because of the higher frequency of side effects associated with the high dose, ketoconazole therapy should be initiated with the low dose.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D007654:Ketoconazole