THE ROLE OF AZOLES IN THE TREATMENT OF CR YPTOCOCCOSIS

Cryptococcosis emergence corresponds with outbreak of acquired imunode ficiency syndrome and spreading out of azole therapy. Amphotericin B, usually in combination with flucytosine, is generally recommended as p rimary therapy for patients with severe forms of disease, especially c ryptococcal meningitis. This therapy can be followed two weeks later b y fluconazole. In non meningeal cryptococcosis, fluconazole can be pre scribed as primary treatment. Combination of fluconazole and flucytosi ne is promising. Variable results are observed with itraconazole in it s present form. Maintenance therapy with fluconazole is needed. Other azoles drugs are in study.