FLUCONAZOLE FOR PRIMARY PROPHYLAXIS OF AIDS-ASSOCIATED CRYPTOCOCCOSIS- A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

In order to verify whether fluconazole has a prophylactive effect agai nst the occurrence of cryptococcosis in HIV-infected patients and to i dentify other factors capable of increasing or reducing the risk of th is infection, we arranged a case-control study of 17 patients with cry ptococcal infection. 34 controls were selected, matched by presence of an AIDS-defining event, CD4 cell count, and date of T-cell phenotypin g. No significant difference in exposure to fluconazole, in total days of treatment, or in total dose administered was observed between case s and controls. However, control patients took a significantly higher average daily dosage of fluconazole and a linear tendency in risk redu ction (p = 0.04) in relation to increasing dosage was observed. Antire troviral therapy and an average daily fluconazole dose exceeding 150 m g both each reduced the risk of a cryptococcal infection.