LIPOSOMAL AMPHOTERICIN-B FOR TREATMENT OF A DISSEMINATED CANDIDA INFECTION WITH ENCEPHALITIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN AN PRETERM NEONATE

A premature infant (31 weeks' gestation) with systemic candidiasis inc luding encephalitis and osteoarthritis was successfully treated with l iposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome(R), Vestar). Neither treatment with miconazole nor with conventional amphotericin B combined with flucytos ine previously could stop the progression of the disease. Initiation o f treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was followed by prompt remis sion of clinical signs of infection. Then necessary mechanical ventila tion could be discontinued within two days, arthritic symptoms decreas ed and ultrasound of the brain showed a remission of encephalitic lesi ons. No severe side effects were seen during 40 days of treatment. A s light increase of the gamma-GT resolved after the drug was discontinue d.