Prophylaxis of oropharyngeal candidiasis with fluconazole

Effectiveness of fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis

This review assessed the effectiveness of fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis on the incidence of oral fungal diseases in patients undergoing cancer treatment. The secondary outcomes evaluated were the adverse effects, discontinuation of cancer therapy due to oral fungal infection, mortality by a fungal infection, and the mean duration of antifungal prophylaxis. Twelve databases and records were searched. The RoB 2 and ROBINS I tools were used to assess the risk of bias. The relative risk (RR), risk difference, and standard mean difference (SMD) were applied with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The certainty of the evidence was determined by GRADE. Twenty-four studies were included in this systematic review. In randomized controlled trials pooling, fluconazole was a protective factor for the primary outcome (RR = 0.30; CI: 0.16, 0.55; p < 0.01, vs placebo). Compared to other antifungals, fluconazole was only more effective than the subgroup of amphotericin B and nystatin (alone or in combination) (RR = 0.19; CI: 0.09, 0.43; p < 0.01). Fluconazole was also a protective factor in non-randomized trials pooling (RR = 0.19; CI: 0.05, 0.78; p = 0.02, vs untreated). The results showed no significant differences for the secondary outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was low and very low. In conclusion, prophylactic antifungals are necessary during cancer treatment, and fluconazole was shown to be more effective in reducing oral fungal diseases only compared with the subgroup assessing amphotericin B and nystatin, administered alone or in combination.

Incidence, characteristics and risk factors for drug-induced liver injury in hospitalized patients: A matched case-control study

AIMS

The diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is relatively complex and involves a wide variety of drugs. The purpose of this study was to use algorithms to quickly screen DILI patients, determine its incidence and identify risk factors.

METHODS

The Adverse Drug Events Active Surveillance and Assessment System-2 was used to extract the data of patients hospitalized in 2019 according to the set standards and the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method was used to evaluate patients who met the standards. A retrospective case-control study was conducted according to suspected drugs, length of hospital stay and height- and weight-matched controls, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 156 570 hospitalized patients, 480 patients (499 cases) with DILI were confirmed and the incidence of DILI was 0.32%. Anti-infective agents, antineoplastic agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the major categories of drugs causing DILI, and the highest incidence of DILI was due to voriconazole. The latency period and hospital stay of patients with cholestasis were both relatively long. Patients with hyperlipidaemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.884), cardiovascular disease (AOR 1.465), pre-existing liver disease (AOR 1.827) and surgical history (AOR 1.312) were at higher risk for DILI.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of DILI in hospitalized patients was uncommon (0.32%) and its pathogenic drugs were widely distributed. The incidence of DILI for many drugs has been seriously underestimated. It is recommended to focus on patients with hyperlipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, pre-existing liver disease and surgical history.

Antifungal agents and liver toxicity: a complex interaction

INTRODUCTION

The number of antifungal agents has sharply increased in recent decades. Antifungals differ in their spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, dosing, safety-profiles and costs. Risk of developing antifungal associated hepatotoxicity is multifactorial and is influenced by pre-existing liver disease, chemical properties of the drug, patient demographics, comorbidities, drug-drug interactions, environmental and genetic factors. Antifungal related liver injury typically manifests as elevations in serum aminotransferase levels, although the clinical significance of these biochemical alterations is not always clear. Incidence rates of hepatotoxicity induced by antifungal therapy range widely, occurring most frequently in patients treated with azole antifungals for documented fungal infections.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an update regarding the hepatotoxicity profiles of the modern systemic antifungals used in treatment of invasive fungal infections. Expert commentary: Understanding the likelihood and pattern of hepatotoxicity for all suspected drugs can aid the clinician in early detection of liver injury allowing for intervention and potential mitigation of liver damage. Therapeutic drug monitoring is emerging as a potential tool to assess risk for hepatotoxicity.

Routine versus selective antifungal administration for control of fungal infections in patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

Systemic fungal infection is considered to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, particularly those with neutropenia. Antifungal drugs are often given prophylactically, or empirically to patients with persistent fever.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether commonly used antifungal drugs decrease mortality in cancer patients with neutropenia.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched PubMed from 1966 to 7 July 2014 and the reference lists of identified articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole compared with placebo or no treatment in cancer patients with neutropenia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two review authors independently assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias, and abstracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-two trials involving 4287 patients were included. Prophylactic or empirical treatment with amphotericin B significantly decreased total mortality (relative risk (RR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 0.96), whereas the estimated RRs for fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and itraconazole were close to 1.00. No eligible trials were found with voriconazole. Amphotericin B and fluconazole decreased mortality ascribed to fungal infection (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.76 and RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.73, respectively). The incidence of invasive fungal infection decreased significantly with administration of amphotericin B (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.73), fluconazole (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.57) and itraconazole (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.97), but not with ketoconazole or miconazole. Effect estimates were similar for those 13 trials that had adequate allocation concealment and were blinded. The reporting of harms was far too variable from trial to trial to allow a meaningful overview. For the 2011 and 2014 updates no additional trials were identified for inclusion.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous amphotericin B was the only antifungal agent that reduced total mortality. It should therefore be preferred when prophylactic or empirical antifungal therapy is introduced in cancer patients with neutropenia.

Diagnosis and therapy of Candida infections: joint recommendations of the German Speaking Mycological Society and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy

Invasive Candida infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised and hospitalised patients. This article provides the joint recommendations of the German-speaking Mycological Society (Deutschsprachige Mykologische Gesellschaft, DMyKG) and the Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Chemotherapy (PEG) for diagnosis and treatment of invasive and superficial Candida infections. The recommendations are based on published results of clinical trials, case-series and expert opinion using the evidence criteria set forth by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Key recommendations are summarised here: The cornerstone of diagnosis remains the detection of the organism by culture with identification of the isolate at the species level; in vitro susceptibility testing is mandatory for invasive isolates. Options for initial therapy of candidaemia and other invasive Candida infections in non-granulocytopenic patients include fluconazole or one of the three approved echinocandin compounds; liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole are secondary alternatives because of their less favourable pharmacological properties. In granulocytopenic patients, an echinocandin or liposomal amphotericin B is recommended as initial therapy based on the fungicidal mode of action. Indwelling central venous catheters serve as a main source of infection independent of the pathogenesis of candidaemia in the individual patients and should be removed whenever feasible. Pre-existing immunosuppressive treatment, particularly by glucocorticosteroids, ought to be discontinued, if feasible, or reduced. The duration of treatment for uncomplicated candidaemia is 14 days following the first negative blood culture and resolution of all associated symptoms and findings. Ophthalmoscopy is recommended prior to the discontinuation of antifungal chemotherapy to rule out endophthalmitis or chorioretinitis. Beyond these key recommendations, this article provides detailed recommendations for specific disease entities, for antifungal treatment in paediatric patients as well as a comprehensive discussion of epidemiology, clinical presentation and emerging diagnostic options of invasive and superficial Candida infections.

Use of prophylactic antifungals in the immunocompromised host

Oral candidiasis is a significant infection in patients being treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer, and in patients who are immunocompromised because of HIV infection and AIDS. Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen and has developed an extensive array of putative virulent mechanisms that allows successful colonization and infection of the host under suitable predisposing conditions. The purpose of this review of the literature was to assess the effectiveness of interventions for the prevention of oral candidiasis in immunocompromised patients and in patients treated for cancer with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. These patient categories were selected because they have been the topic of published randomized controlled clinical trials. The studies reviewed provide strong evidence that oral candidiasis is associated with greater morbidity and mortality in these populations, which substantiates the aggressive treatment and prophylaxis of this infection. The literature supports the recommendation that systemically applied antifungal drugs have the greatest efficacy for the treatment of oral candidiasis in cancer and immunocompromised patients; however, these therapies must be prescribed with a thorough assessment for the risk for developing drug-induced toxicities. Guidelines on the prevention of drug-resistant oral candidiasis in these patients are not available and require elucidation. Further studies are required to expand the knowledge base of evidence-based antifungal therapies in a wider variety of immunocompromised patients and conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, and denture wearers. Additional exploration is needed to determine which antifungal drug formulation, dose, and method of delivery is preferable for the type of fungal infection and the underlying etiology.

Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment

BACKGROUND

Treatment of cancer is increasingly more effective but is associated with short and long term side effects. Oral side effects remain a major source of illness despite the use of a variety of agents to prevent and treat them. One of these side effects is oral candidiasis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of interventions (which may include placebo or no treatment) for the prevention of oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Computerised searches of Cochrane Oral Health Group and PAPAS Trials Registers, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CANCERLIT, SIGLE and LILACS were undertaken. Reference lists from relevant articles were searched and the authors of eligible trials were contacted to identify trials and obtain additional information. Date of the most recent searches: June 2006: CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Trials were selected if they met the following criteria: design - random allocation of participants; participants - anyone receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer; interventions - agents prescribed to prevent oral candidiasis; primary outcome - prevention of oral candidiasis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were recorded on the following secondary outcomes if present: relief of pain, amount of analgesia, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, duration of stay in hospital (days), cost of oral care, patient quality of life, death, use of empirical antifungal treatment, toxicity and compliance. Information regarding methods, participants, interventions, outcome measures and results were independently extracted, in duplicate, by two review authors. The Cochrane Oral Health Group statistical guidelines were followed and risk ratios (RR) calculated using random-effects models. Potential sources of heterogeneity were examined in random-effects metaregression analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight trials involving 4226 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Drugs absorbed and partially absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract were found to prevent oral candidiasis when compared to a placebo, or a no treatment control group, with RR for absorbed drugs = 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29 to 0.78). For absorbed drugs in populations with an incidence of 20% (mid range of results in control groups), this implies a NNT of 9 (95% CI 7 to 13) patients need to be treated to avoid one patient getting oral candidiasis. There was no significant benefit shown for drugs not absorbed from the GI tract.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is strong evidence, from randomised controlled trials, that drugs absorbed or partially absorbed from the GI tract prevent oral candidiasis in patients receiving treatment for cancer. There is also evidence that these drugs are significantly better at preventing oral candidiasis than drugs not absorbed from the GI.

Antifungal chemotherapeutics

This review addresses trends in outcome and risk factors for invasive fungal infections, current antifungal agents and new therapeutic strategies. Current prospects for new therapies rest upon caspofungin, the first of a new class of antifungal molecules, the echinocandins, and new extended-spectrum azoles, voriconazole, posaconazole and ravuconazole. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA and the European Medicine Agency was given in 2001-2002 to voriconazole and caspofungin. Voriconazole clearly demonstrated a decrease in mortality in invasive aspergillosis and fusariosis fungal infections.

Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment

BACKGROUND

Treatment of cancer is increasingly more effective but is associated with short and long term side effects. Oral side effects remain a major source of illness despite the use of a variety of agents to prevent and treat them. One of these side effects is oral candidiasis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of interventions (which may include placebo or no treatment) for the prevention of oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic databases: Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, MEDLINE Pre-indexed, EMBASE, CINAHL, CANCERLIT, SIGLE and LILACS were searched. Date of the most recent searches April 2004 (CENTRAL Issue 2, 2004).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Trials were selected if they met the following criteria: design - random allocation of participants; participants - anyone receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer; interventions - agents prescribed to prevent oral candidiasis; primary outcome - prevention of oral candidiasis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were recorded on the following secondary outcomes if present: relief of pain, amount of analgesia, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, duration of stay in hospital (days), cost of oral care, patient quality of life, death, use of empirical antifungal treatment, toxicity and compliance. Information regarding methods, participants, interventions, outcome measures and results were independently extracted, in duplicate, by two reviewers (HW & JC). The Cochrane Oral Health Group statistical guidelines were followed and relative risk values calculated using random effects models. Potential sources of heterogeneity were examined in random effects metaregression analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-eight trials involving 4226 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Drugs absorbed and partially absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract were found to prevent oral candidiasis when compared to a placebo, or a no treatment control group, with RR for absorbed drugs = 0.47 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.78). For absorbed drugs in populations with an incidence of 20% (mid range of results in control groups), this implies a NNT of 9 (95% CI 7 to 13) patients need to be treated to avoid one patient getting oral candidiasis. There was no significant benefit shown for drugs not absorbed from the GI tract.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

There is strong evidence, from randomised controlled trials, that drugs absorbed or partially absorbed from the GI tract prevent oral candidiasis in patients receiving treatment for cancer. There is also evidence that these drugs are significantly better at preventing oral candidiasis than drugs not absorbed from the GI.

Antifungal prophylaxis for severely neutropenic chemotherapy recipients: a meta analysis of randomized-controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND

The overall clinical efficacy of the azoles antifungal agents and low-dose intravenous amphotericin B for antifungal chemoprophylaxis in patients with malignant disease who have severe neutropenia remains unclear.

METHODS

Randomized-controlled trials of azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole) or intravenous amphotericin B formulations compared with placebo/no treatment or polyene-based controls in severely neutropenic chemotherapy recipients were evaluated using meta-analytical techniques.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight trials that included 7014 patients (study agents, 3515 patients; control patients, 3499 patients) were analyzed. Overall, there were reductions in the use of parenteral antifungal therapy (prophylaxis success: odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.48-0.68; relative risk reduction [RRR], 19%; number requiring treatment for this outcome [NNT], 10 patients), superficial fungal infection (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.20-0.43; RRR, 61%; NNT, 12 patients), invasive fungal infection (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.35-0.55; RRR, 56%; NNT, 22 patients), and fungal infection-related mortality (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.41-0.82; RRR, 47%; NNT, 52 patients). Invasive aspergillosis was unaffected (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.62-1.44). Although overall mortality was not reduced (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.74-1.03), subgroup analyses showed reduced mortality in studies of patients who had prolonged neutropenia (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.95) or who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59-0.99). The multivariate metaregression analyses identified HSCT, prolonged neutropenia, acute leukemia with prolonged neutropenia, and higher azole dose as predictors of treatment effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Antifungal prophylaxis reduced morbidity, as evidenced by reductions in the use of parenteral antifungal therapy, superficial fungal infection, and invasive fungal infection, as well as reducing fungal infection-related mortality. These effects were most pronounced in patients with malignant disease who had prolonged neutropenia and HSCT recipients.

Routine versus selective antifungal administration for control of fungal infections in patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

Systemic fungal infection is considered to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, particularly those with neutropenia. Antifungal drugs are often given prophylactically, or to patients with persistent fever.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effect of antifungal drugs in cancer patients with neutropenia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and MEDLINE (November 2001) and the reference lists of articles. We searched the proceedings of the ICAAC (from 1990 to 2001, General Meeting of the ASM (from 1990 to 2001), and the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (1995 to 2001) and contacted researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, or itraconazole compared with placebo or no treatment in cancer patients with neutropenia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently assessed trial eligibility, methodological quality and abstracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty trials involving 4094 patients were included. Prophylactic or empirical treatment with antifungals as a group had no statistically significant effect on mortality (relative risk 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 1.11). The relative risk was smallest for amphotericin B, 0.73 (0.52 to 1.03) (P=0.08). In another review, three trials compared intravenous lipid soluble amphotericin B (AmBisome) with smaller doses of standard intravenous amphotericin B; the relative risk was 0.74 (0.52 to 1.07). Taken together, these results indicate that intravenous amphotericin B might decrease mortality. In contrast, trials with fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole and itraconazole failed to find an effect on mortality. The incidence of invasive fungal infection decreased significantly with administration of amphotericin B (relative risk 0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.76), fluconazole (0.39, 0.27 to 0.57) and itraconazole (0.51, 0.27 to 0.96), but not with miconazole or ketoconazole.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous amphotericin B is the only antifungal agent for which there is evidence suggesting that it might reduce mortality. It should therefore be preferred when prophylactic or empirical antifungal therapy in cancer patients with neutropenia is considered indicated.

The use of fluconazole and itraconazole in the treatment of Candida albicans infections: a review

Candida albicans is responsible for most fungal infections in humans. Fluconazole is well established as a first-line management option for the treatment and prophylaxis of localized and systemic C. albicans infections. Fluconazole exhibits predictable pharmacokinetics and is effective, well tolerated and suitable for use in most patients with C. albicans infections, including children, the elderly and those with impaired immunity. Prophylactic administration of fluconazole can help to prevent fungal infections in patients receiving cytotoxic cancer therapy. The increasing use of fluconazole for the long-term prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent oral candidosis in AIDS patients has led to the emergence of C. albicans infections that are not responsive to conventional doses. Second-line therapy with a wider spectrum antifungal, such as itraconazole, should be sought if treatment with fluconazole fails. A solution formulation of itraconazole has recently been introduced to overcome the poor and variable absorption of its original capsule formulation. Efficacy and tolerability studies in HIV-positive or immunocompromised patients with C. albicans infections have shown that, although itraconazole solution is as effective as fluconazole, it is less well tolerated as first-line therapy. Itraconazole solution can be effective in AIDS patients with C. albicans infections that are non-responsive to fluconazole. No efficacy or tolerability data are available on the use of itraconazole solution in children or the elderly.

Penetration of oral fluconazole into gynecological tissues

Penetration of fluconazole into female genital tissues was examined. Fluconazole was administered orally at a dose of 150 mg to patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy 1 to 151 h prior to surgery. During surgery, blood, uterus, ovary, and oviduct were sampled. Fluconazole concentrations in each tissue were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The peak concentrations in serum reached approximately 6.1 microg/ml 1.0 h after a drip infusion was begun. At each time after the infusion, the concentrations in portio vaginalis, cervix uteri, myometrium, endometrium, ovary, and oviduct were higher than those in the serum: the peaks in the tissues ranged from 6.4 to 9.5 microg/g around 1.0 h after the drip infusion was begun. Thus, the levels of penentration of fluconazole into gynecological tissues appeared to be similar to or slightly above those in serum samples. Fluconazole can rapidly penetrate from plasma into the female genital organs, supporting high efficacy of fluconazole against fungal infections in the field of gynecology.

Oropharyngeal candidosis in the older patient

Colonization of the oral and pharyngeal regions by Candida spp., particularly C. albicans, is extremely common in humans, particularly in early and late life. A variety of local and systemic conditions predispose the transformation of the benign colonization to a pathological state, which may have severe local or serious systemic consequences. The finding of oropharyngeal candidosis in an older patient, therefore, merits investigation of the likely host factors responsible for the organism adopting its pathogenic behavior. This paper provides non-dental clinicians managing older patients a review of the clinical characteristics, risk factors, diagnosis, and management of oropharyngeal candidosis in older adults.

Antifungal prophylaxis during neutropenia and immunodeficiency

Fungal infections represent a major source of morbidity and mortality in patients with almost all types of immunodeficiencies. These infections may be nosocomial (aspergillosis) or community acquired (cryptococcosis), or both (candidiasis). Endemic mycoses such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and penicilliosis may infect many immunocompromised hosts in some geographic areas and thereby create major public health problems. With the wide availability of oral azoles, antifungal prophylactic strategies have been extensively developed. However, only a few well-designed studies involving strict criteria have been performed, mostly in patients with hematological malignancies or AIDS. In these situations, the best dose and duration of administration of the antifungal drug often remain to be determined. In high-risk neutropenic or bone marrow transplant patients, fluconazole is effective for the prevention of superficial and/or systemic candidal infections but is not always able to prolong overall survival and potentially selects less susceptible or resistant Candida spp. Primary prophylaxis against aspergillosis remains investigative. At present, no standard general recommendation for primary antifungal prophylaxis can be proposed for AIDS patients or transplant recipients. However, for persistently immunocompromised patients who previously experienced a noncandidal systemic fungal infection, prolonged suppressive antifungal therapy is often indicated to prevent a relapse. Better strategies for controlling immune deficiencies should also help to avoid some potentially life-threatening deep mycoses. When prescribing antifungal prophylaxis, physicians should be aware of the potential emergence of resistant strains, drug-drug interactions, and the cost. Well-designed, randomized, multicenter clinical trials in high-risk immunocompromised hosts are urgently needed to better define how to prevent severe invasive mycoses.

Retrospective analysis of yeast colonization and infections in paediatric bone marrow transplant recipients

Sixty-four paediatric patients who underwent allogeneic (n = 35), autologous (n = 28) or syngeneic (n = 1) bone marrow transplantation (BMT) between 1992 and 1994 were evaluated retrospectively. As antifungal prophylaxis, all patients received amphotericin B tablets and 62 of 64 (96.9%) received oral fluconazole. Weekly surveillance cultures revealed fungal colonization in 35 patients (54.7%). Six patients (9.4%) were colonized before BMT only, 17 (26.6%) after BMT only and 12 (18.8%) both before and after BMT. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungus [21 of 46 fungal isolates (45.7%)], followed by C. glabrata [14 isolates (30.4%)]. Non-albicans species of Candida were most frequently isolated after BMT from the faeces, often in high numbers. Autologous marrow recipients had a higher fungal colonization rate both before and after BMT than allogeneic marrow recipients. One patient suffered from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after BMT. No fungaemias or deep-seated yeast infections were observed. Six of the seven patients who had to be treated with intravenous amphotericin B because of antibiotic-refractory fever had undergone autologous BMT. Multivariate analysis of various parameters showed only pre-BMT yeast colonization to be independently associated with post-BMT colonization. Thus, systemic mycoses occurred only rarely in this study population; however yeast colonization after BMT (especially with non-albicans species) was a frequent event in spite of double prophylaxis with oral amphotericin B and fluconazole.

Fluconazole in the prophylaxis of fungal infection after bone marrow transplantation

An open, non-comparative study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of fluconazole in the prophylaxis of superficial or systemic fungal infections in patients having received bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The study population consisted of a total of 53 patients, including 10 children between the ages of 3 and 14 years who were scheduled for BMT. Fluconazole prophylaxis was initiated at 200 mg day-1 in adults and 100 mg day-1 in children. It was started at a mean of 7 days before treatment and continued for up to 112 days in the paediatric patients and 393 days in the adult patients. Apart from the baseline examination and the final evaluation, the patients were evaluated mycologically and serologically for the presence of fungal infections on a weekly basis, if feasible. Proven fungal infection, oesophageal candidosis or oropharyngeal candidosis was not found in any of the patients under study during the fluconazole prophylaxis. Thirteen of the adult patients developed unexplained fevers and had their treatment supplemented by antibiotic therapy and treatment with amphotericin B. In all 10 children, the prophylactic treatment proved successful. Adverse events were seen in 15 patients. In one case only, the event was judged to be causally related or possibly causally related to the study drug. Hence, fluconazole proves to be an effective and well-tolerated agent in the prophylaxis of fungal infections in recipients of bone marrow transplants.

Clinical management of oral and perioral candidosis

Oral candidosis is a diagnosable and treatable mucosal disease that may be complicated by various other local or systemic disease conditions. Dependable diagnosis always should include a combination of clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of candidal disease as well as positive cytologic or direct culture results. The management of candidal infections should be individualized for each patient, with concern for interactions with current medications, immune status, other concurrent mucosal diseases, and exogenous infectious sources. In selecting the appropriate therapeutic agent(s) the clinician should consider patient health factors, location and severity of infection, and the probability of chronicity.

Emergence of Nonalbicans Candida Species in Immunocompromised Leukemia Patients during Fluconazole Treatment

The incidence of the emergence of nonalbicans Candida species during fluconazole treatment was surveyed in leukemia patients who were severely immunocompromised due to either intensive chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation during the 3-year period from April 1993 to March 1996. Thirty-three patients received either prophylactic or therapeutic fluconazole administration for at least 7 days. In 7 of these 33 patients (21.2%), nonalbicans Candida including C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. maris, and C. inconspicua emerged during, or immediately after, fluconazole administration, with C. inconspicua the most prevalent Candida spp. Since these yeast strains are resistant to fluconazole, it is possible that selection occurred favoring Candida spp. resistant to fluconazole. Therefore, surveillance for yeast strains resistant to fluconazole should be performed as a routine procedure during fluconazole administration. In cases of resistance, other effective antifungal agents should be administered.

Antifungal Prophylaxis in Severely Neutropenic Patients: How Much Fluconazole is Necessary?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of low dose fluconazole treatment for the prevention of yeast colonization and infection in severely neutropenic patients. METHODS: An open randomized trial, comparing fluconazole (100 mg per day) with nystatin (800,000 IU per day), in a University Hospital setting. RESULTS: Antifungal prophylaxis was given during the period of neutropenia, defined as less than 500 polymorphonuclear cells (PMN)/mm3). Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to fluconazole and 33 to nystatin treatment groups. New oropharyngeal colonizations were significantly reduced by fluconazole (P=0.005), and oropharyngeal infections occurred less frequently in the fluconazole group (3% versus 16%, P=0.07). Stool colonization was identical between both groups. Systemic fungal infections were rare; one fluconazole patient had pulmonary aspergillosis and one nystatin patient developped Candida pseudotropicalis fungemia. Empiric amphotericin B was given with the same frequency in both groups. No side effects were associated with fluconazole. However, the administration of nystatin became impossible for three patients because of vomiting and lack of compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole (100 mg per day) is more effective than nystatin for the prevention of oropharyngeal yeast colonization. Comparison with results in the literature suggests that a 100-mg dose of fluconazole has similar effects to 200 or 400 mg per day.

Australian Dental Research Fund Trebitsch Scholarship. Efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis in bone marrow transplantation

Oral candidal infection is a common problem in bone marrow transplantation. This prospective study compared the effectiveness of antifungal prophylaxis with topical antifungals (nystatin and amphotericin B suspensions) versus oral fluconazole in 196 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Oral candidosis occurred frequently in the group receiving topical antifungals (61/113, 54%), but was rare in the group receiving fluconazole (6/83, 7%). The difference in efficacy between the two groups was highly significant (p < 0.00001). There was no difference in the incidence of suspected systemic fungal infection between the two groups. While nausea was a problem with antifungal suspensions, no significant adverse reactions to fluconazole occurred. Because of greater efficacy in preventing oral candidosis and better patient tolerance, oral fluconazole is preferred to antifungal suspensions for prophylactic use in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

Comparison of fluconazole with oral polyenes in the prevention of fungal infections in neutropenic patients. A prospective, randomized, single-center study

The goal of this prospective randomized single-center study was the comparison of safety and efficacy of high-dose oral/intravenous fluconazole (400 mg daily) (group A) with oral nystatin plus miconazole inhalations (group B) in the prevention of fungal infections on a hemato-oncological isolation Ward. Of 157 patients admitted to the isolation ward during the study period only 90 (57%) were eligible for randomization; 22 (14%) had a fungal infection at admission. Of the 90 randomized patients, 89 were evaluable, 43 in group A and 46 in group B. The age, sex, diagnosis, planned therapy and risk factors for fungal infections at admission as well as the duration of neutropenia were in the same proportions in both groups. Oral thrush and mucocutaneous candidiasis were prevented in all patients of both groups, and 29 patients (32%: 17 in group A, 12 in group B) were discharged after successful prophylaxis (NS). Empiric amphotericin B was given according to predetermined criteria to 45 patients (51%: 23 group A, 22 group B; NS). Fluconazole significantly delayed the time before the start of intravenous amphotericin B. It was begun after a median of 10 days (0-45 days, range) of neutropenia below 0.5 x 10(9) granulocytes/l in group A and 7.5 days (0-26, range) in group B (P < 0.05). The duration of successful prophylaxis was significantly longer in group A (26 days median) than in group B (21 days, median) (P < 0.05). Systematic fungal infection was documented in 3 patients (1 group A, 2 group B; NS).

Orointestinal yeast colonization of paediatric bone marrow transplant recipients: surveillance by quantitative culture and serology

We quantitatively studied the orointestinal yeast colonization of 15 consecutive paediatric patients who underwent 16 bone marrow transplantations (BMT). Cultures were performed initially, longitudinally weekly during the period of aplasia (in-patient treatment) and, if possible, also during out-patient follow-up. With one exception, all patients received fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis. Patients remained free of yeasts during the complete observation period only in six out of 16 cases (38%). Non-albicans species of Candida were isolated in six out of 16 cases (38%), mainly C. glabrata (five out of 16; 31%). All of these patients had undergone allogeneic BMT. In one case, there was indirect evidence of systemic invasion by C. glabrata. Even combined prophylaxis with fluconazole and and amphotericin B suspension could not reliably prevent yeast colonization but this combination at present appears to be the optimal regime. Regular concomitant Candida serology (determination of specific antibodies by three methods) proved to be a valuable additional surveillance method.

Value of antifungal prophylaxis with antifungal drugs against oropharyngeal candidiasis in cancer patients

This report focuses on the value of antifungal prophylaxis with antifungal drugs in preventing oropharyngeal candidiasis. Randomised trials comparing non-AIDS immunocompromised patients receiving or not an oral antifungal agent were reviewed. Colonisation of the throat with Candida albicans is a risk factor, principally when cultures for this species of yeasts remain positive after initiation of the prophylaxis. The results of the trials were meta-analysed and we obtained a combined odds ratio for developing oropharyngeal candidiasis of 0.15 when under antifungal prophylaxis (confidence interval at 95%:0.10-0.22, chi 2 statistic of 90.77, P < 0.0001). We conclude that there is a strong beneficial effect of antifungal prophylaxis against the occurrence of oropharyngeal candidiasis. However, up to now, no study has correctly assessed the value of nystatin as a prophylactic agent against oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Antifungal prophylaxis during remission induction therapy for acute leukemia fluconazole versus intravenous amphotericin B

BACKGROUND

Fungal infection is a frequent and often fatal complication in patients undergoing remission induction therapy for acute leukemia. Although candidiasis is the most common infection, mold infections are increasing in frequency. Fluconazole (FLU) is a new antifungal agent that has been used successfully to treat Candida infections and has modest activity against aspergillosis in animal models. Subtherapeutic doses of amphotericin B (AMB) have been considered effective as prophylaxis in these patients. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of these agents as antifungal prophylaxis.

METHODS

Adults with acute leukemia undergoing remission induction chemotherapy randomly were assigned to receive antifungal prophylaxis with AMB (0.5 mg/kg three times weekly) or FLU (400 mg daily). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was administered as an antibacterial prophylaxis. Prophylaxis was continued until the patient achieved complete remission or was treated for 8 weeks without antileukemic response. Prophylaxis was discontinued if the patient experienced a possible or proven fungal infection or a serious toxicity.

RESULTS

Overall, 58% of the 36 patients assigned to AMB successfully completed prophylaxis compared with 80% of the 41 patients assigned to FLU (< 0.05). Proven, probable, or possible fungal infections occurred in 31% and 17% of the patients, respectively. The risk of discontinuing prophylaxis due to fungal infection or toxicity increased with time in the study and was significantly greater for AMB (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

At the dose used in this study, AMB was no more effective and was more toxic than FLU for prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients undergoing remission induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia.

Fluconazole-resistant recurrent oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients: persistence of Candida albicans strains with the same genotype

Thirty human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients carrying Candida albicans in their oropharynx were treated with fluconazole and were monitored for 90 to 570 days. Fluconazole-resistant C. albicans (MIC, > 32 micrograms/ml) appeared only in seven patients and only after 90 days of treatment corresponding to a total dose of more than 10 g. Resistance was not associated with resistance to other azole derivatives. Susceptible and resistant strains from each patient had the same genotype (as defined by electrophoretic karyotype and restriction fragment length polymorphism). Thus, the resistant strains were selected by the antimycotic treatment from the susceptible strain present in each case.

A multicentre study of fluconazole versus oral polyenes in the prevention of fungal infection in children with hematological or oncological malignancies. Multicentre Study Group

A randomized, comparative study was conducted in 502 patients in 23 centres world-wide to assess the efficacy and safety of fluconazole versus nystatin and amphotericin B for prevention of fungal infection in a severely immunocompromised pediatric population. Patients scheduled within 48 hours to undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy for hematological or oncological malignancies were randomly allocated to receive 3 mg/kg oral fluconazole once daily, 50,000 U/kg oral nystatin four times daily or 25 mg/kg oral amphotericin B four times daily. Prophylaxis began with the initiation of chemotherapy or radiotherapy and continued throughout a patient's hospital stay or period of neutropenia as necessary. The mean duration of fluconazole prophylaxis was 27.8 days and of the oral polyenes 29.2 days. The outcome of prophylaxis with fluconazole was significantly superior to that with the polyenes (p = 0.01). Mycologically verified infections occurred in 5 patients (2.1%) given fluconazole and in 21 (8.4%) given polyenes (p = 0.002). Clinical evaluation at the end of prophylaxis showed that the clinical outcome was definitely or possibly successful in 87% in the fluconazole group and 82% in the polyenes group with no significant differences between the treatment groups. Mycological evaluation demonstrated reduction or control of colonization in 84% in the fluconazole group and 85% in the polyenes group, again with no significant between-group differences. Possibly drug-related side effects, mainly mild to moderate gastrointestinal disturbances, were reported in 38 patients given fluconazole, with eight subsequent withdrawals, and in 21 patients given oral polyenes, with three subsequent withdrawals. Laboratory test abnormalities occurred in 28 patients given fluconazole and 24 given polyenes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical and mycological evaluation of fluconazole in the secondary prophylaxis of esophageal candidiasis in AIDS patients. An open, multicenter study

A prospective, multicenter, open study of fluconazole prophylaxis was performed in AIDS patients to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the drug in preventing relapses of esophageal candidiasis. To this aim, 99 AIDS patients who presented a first episode of clinically and microbiologically confirmed esophageal candidiasis were enrolled in eleven clinical centers scattered throughout the Italian territory. After resolution of this initial esophagitis, all subjects were given fluconazole, 100 mg/die, and followed up for a 6 month period. Only 7 out of the 99 patients enrolled had a relapse of Candida esophagitis, during a mean follow-up period of 138.5 days. All relapsing patients had CD4+ cell number < 100/microliters at baseline. Mild side effects were reported in only eight patients. However, 14 of the 27 subjects from whom serial serum samples were available became (12) or remained (2) antigenemic during fluconazole prophylaxis, independently from relapse, suggesting the persistence of tissue-invasive, proliferating Candida cells. Overall, the data of this study suggest a beneficial effect of prophylactic maintenance therapy with fluconazole against Candida esophagitis, particularly in the population with > 100 CD4+/microliters. However, the data on Candida antigenemia in these patients invite the consideration of a relative inefficiency of the drug to eradicate the microrganism from the esophageal tissue.

Fluconazole-resistant Candida in AIDS patients. Report of two cases

Oropharyngeal candidiasis develops in up to 95% of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Oral fluconazole is frequently prescribed for persons who are human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive as initial or suppressive therapy for oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis or as suppressive therapy for cryptococcal meningitis. We report two cases of oropharyngeal candidiasis, caused by Candida albicans, which developed in two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had taken fluconazole for extended periods. In addition to the clinical resistance we observed, isolates of the organism appeared to be resistant in vitro to fluconazole and ketoconazole.

Empiric amphotericin B therapy: the need for a reappraisal

Neutropenic patients are at high risk of developing invasive fungal diseases. A number of studies, both randomized and historical, have demonstrated that empiric therapy with amphotericin B in neutropenic patients with fever, refractory to antibiotics, results in a decrease in the frequency and mortality of deep fungal infections. Recent years have seen a number of advances in the management of neutropenic patients. Reasonably effective antifungal prophylaxis now exists and in many centres forms part of the routine care of neutropenic patients. Other centres advocate the use of selective decontamination and/or protective isolation. Furthermore the duration of neutropenia can be reduced with the use of haematopoetic growth factors. The impact of empiric amphotericin B in patients already benefiting from such treatments has not been adequately studied. The optimum dose of empiric amphotericin B is not defined. The criteria for commencing amphotericin B therapy in febrile neutropenic patients must therefore be redefined on the basis of further studies carried out in the context of these developments. We offer an approach to the use of empiric amphotericin B based on risk factors and prophylaxis.

Management of orofacial pain in cancer patients

Pain in patients with cancer may arise due to the primary disease, or due to therapy of the malignant disease. Pain may be caused by oral infection, oral mucositis, and by alteration in musculoskeletal and neurological function. The management of orofacial and oropharyngeal pain in patients with cancer is reviewed in this paper.

Treatment of Candida albicans fungaemia with fluconazole

Sixty-five patients with Candida albicans fungaemia, admitted to intensive care units, were treated intravenously with fluconazole. All patients had at least one blood culture which was positive for C. albicans. The first group of 34 consecutive patients received fluconazole at a dose of 5 mg/kg bodyweight/day and the subsequent 31 patients received 10 mg/kg/day. Thirty patients in each group were evaluated. The clinical response rate was 60% in the 5 mg/kg once daily group and 83% in the group which received 10 mg/kg/day. Eradication of C. albicans from the blood was achieved in all but two patients in the 5 mg/kg group and in all patients in the 10 mg/kg group. As regards other sites of infection, eradication was achieved in only nine of 25 cases from the 5 mg/kg group and in 11 of 23 cases from the 10 mg/kg group. Death related to fungal infection occurred in eight patients receiving 5 mg/kg/day and in one patient receiving 10 mg/kg/day. Fluconazole was reasonably well tolerated. Raised concentrations of liver enzymes were observed in 14 patients. Other adverse effects were fatigue, nausea, gastric pain, sleepiness and epileptic seizure. In conclusion, fluconazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day would seem to be an effective and safe drug for the management of C. albicans fungaemia.

Antifungal prophylaxis in immunocompromised hosts

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature on the efficacy and safety of antifungal agents for prophylaxis of fungal infections in populations of immunocompromised hosts (key words: hematology-oncology, surgical, solid organ transplant, HIV infection), and to develop guidelines and recommendations regarding safe and effective drug regimens for antifungal prophylaxis in this patient population.

DATA EXTRACTION

Comprehensive review of clinical trials of antifungal prophylaxis published in the English literature, with an emphasis on controlled trials, and discussion of key clinical trials illustrating efficacy and safety of agents for antifungal prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients.

RESULTS

Much of the clinical data evaluating the efficacy and safety of antifungal prophylaxis has been generated in cancer patients. The choice of antifungal agent for prophylaxis in this population remains controversial. However, azole compounds such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole and fluconazole appear to be more effective and better tolerated than nystatin suspension. Although ketoconazole has been shown to reduce fungal colonization in surgical patients, current data do not support the routine use of antifungal prophylaxis in this population. In renal transplant recipients, clotrimazole troches have been shown to be more effective than placebo or nystatin suspension. Selective bowel decontamination with nonabsorbable antibiotics and nystatin may be useful in reducing Candida colonization in liver transplant patients but no definitive recommendations may be made at this time regarding optimal antifungal prophylaxis in these patients. In patients with advanced HIV disease or history of prior fungal disease prophylaxis for oropharyngeal candidiasis is indicated, although the agent of choice remains controversial. Fluconazole is the drug of choice for prevention of relapse of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS. Finally, only limited data exist assessing the relationship between local colonization and systemic fungal infection. Adverse effects associated with antifungal prophylaxis, generally limited to nausea and vomiting and transient elevations in hepatic transaminases, occur with similar frequency among available oral or topical agents. However, the incidence of nausea and vomiting with resultant poor patient tolerance and compliance is usually higher with nystatin.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on available data from controlled clinical trials, azole agents are currently the most effective and best-tolerated drugs for antifungal prophylaxis in immunocompromised hosts. Choice of one agent in this group over another may be dictated by cost. As new antifungal treatments are released onto the market, these drugs should be compared with existing agents in controlled clinical trials. Future studies should be designed to evaluate the relationship between local colonization and disseminated infection.

The use of fluconazole prophylaxis in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

Systemic Candida infections are a major cause of infectious morbidity and mortality during chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Because of the unreliability of conventional diagnostic tests to detect systemic infection early in its course, treatment of established disseminated Candida infection has been generally disappointing with mortality rates of 60-80% in leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients and 30-40% in solid tumor patients. The use of empiric amphotericin B in patients with fever not responding to empiric antibacterial agents has been shown to be successful in reducing morbidity and mortality from fungal infections. However, its toxicity has mitigated the success of this approach. Fluconazole given prophylactically at the institution of chemotherapy has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative. It, however, is not active against all fungal species, especially Aspergillus and some of the less virulent Candida species. Some centers have reported break-through infections by these less susceptible organisms. Whether or not these limitations in its spectrum of activity will limit its usefulness in the future remains unanswered at this time and could pose a cloud to an otherwise bright promise.

Antifungal treatment strategy in leukemia patients

Among the opportunistic infections in patients with leukemias systemic fungal infections contribute a major part if not the majority. This results from autopsy data and is supported clinically when using new criteria by imaging techniques, while microbiological documentation shows a low sensitivity in this situation. Those lessons require a change in strategy toward an earlier and empiric use of systemic antifungal drugs in the frequent infections appearing as fever of unknown origin. By its high systemic activity and low toxicity Fluconazole facilitates this approach. Amphotericin B with 5-Flucytosine remain as the most established standard. Liposomal Amphotericin B allowing higher dosage by lower toxicity appears effective as salvage treatment especially in aspergillosis which also responds to Itraconazole available as oral formulation so far.

Oral candidosis. Clinical, historical, and therapeutic features of 100 cases

Oral candidosis is an increasingly important disease that affects a significant percentage of the population. Traditionally known as an opportunistic pathogen, the broader clinical scope of oropharyngeal candidal infections is now being recognized. The clinical and historical features of 100 patients referred for diagnosis and management of candidosis have been reviewed. The age, gender, chief complaint, medical history, medications, and clinical findings have been noted. A wide range of clinical signs and symptoms, and the rationale behind the topical and systemic antifungal therapies provided to this patient population, are discussed.

A controlled trial of fluconazole to prevent fungal infections in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Superficial and systemic fungal infections are a major problem among severely immunocompromised patients who undergo bone marrow transplantation. We performed a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial in which patients receiving bone marrow transplants were randomly assigned to receive placebo or fluconazole (400 mg daily). Fluconazole or placebo was administered prophylactically from the start of the conditioning regimen until the neutrophil count returned to 1000 per microliter, toxicity was suspected, or a systemic fungal infection was suspected or proved.

RESULTS

By the end of the treatment period, 67.2 percent of the 177 patients assigned to placebo had a positive fungal culture of specimens from any site, as compared with 29.6 percent of the 179 patients assigned to fluconazole. Among these, superficial infections were diagnosed in 33.3 percent of the patients receiving placebo and in 8.4 percent of the patients receiving fluconazole (P less than 0.001). Systemic fungal infections occurred in 28 patients who received placebo as compared with 5 who received fluconazole (15.8 percent vs. 2.8 percent, P less than 0.001). Fluconazole prevented infection with all strains of candida except Candida krusei. Fluconazole was well tolerated, although patients who received it had a higher mean increase in alanine aminotransferase levels than patients who received placebo. Although there was no significant difference in overall mortality between the groups, fewer deaths were ascribed to acute systemic fungal infections in the group receiving fluconazole than in the group receiving placebo (1 of 179 vs. 10 of 177, P less than 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic administration of fluconazole to recipients of bone marrow transplants reduces the incidence of both systemic and superficial fungal infections.

A comparison between fluconazole tablets and clotrimazole troches for the treatment of thrush in HIV infection

Fluconazole, a newly available triazole, has been evaluated extensively as a treatment for thrush. It has been effective in the treatment of this condition in patients with HIV infection. Clotrimazole troches have been a common treatment for thrush in patients with HIV infection for several years. This study compared the efficacy and safety of fluconazole 100 mg tablets once per day versus clotrimazole 10 mg troches five times per day in the treatment of thrush in patients with HIV infection. Patients were evaluated at baseline, day 7, 14, 28, and 42. The following parameters were evaluated: clinical cure, colonization at the end of treatment, relapse at day 28, and relapse at day 42. Side effects including liver enzyme values were also monitored. Clinical cure was superior with fluconazole tablets than with clotrimazole troches. Also, rates of colonization at the end of therapy and relapse at days 28 and 42 were less with fluconazole tablets than with clotrimazole troches. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Patient compliance with fluconazole was superior to that of clotrimazole. This difference was statistically significant. Both fluconazole tablets and clotrimazole troches are effective in treating thrush in patients with HIV infection. The avoidance of multiple-per-day dosing would appear to favor fluconazole.

Antifungal agents used for deep-seated mycotic infections

The increased use of immunosuppressive regimens in organ transplantation and in the treatment of malignant lesions and the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are major reasons for the greater prevalence of fungal infections seen in clinical practice during the past decade. The traditional cornerstone of antifungal treatment, amphotericin B, continues to play a major role in deep-seated mycotic infections. The indications for intravenously administered miconazole have become limited. Orally administered flucytosine remains useful in certain infections, particularly cryptococcal meningitis. The new orally administered antifungal agents ketoconazole and fluconazole have been approved for clinical use and have supplanted amphotericin B in certain situations. Investigational antifungal agents, including liposomal amphotericin B, itraconazole, and saperconazole, hold promise for the future. Active investigation in the development of new antifungal agents is expected to continue.