ANTIFUNGAL PHARMACODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUCONAZOLE AND AMPHOTERICIN-B AGAINST CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS

The activity of fluconazole and amphotericin B against three isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans was evaluated, with fluconazole and amphote ricin B MICs of 2.0-4.0 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L respectively, using time-kil l curve methods. Fluconazole was fungistatic against all isolates test ed (<99.9% decrease in cfu from initial inoculum). The fungistatic act ivity of fluconazole was not enhanced by increasing the concentration of antifungal in solution. In contrast, amphotericin B was markedly fu ngicidal (greater than or equal to 99.9% decrease in cfu from initial inoculum). Both the rate and the extent of amphotericin B activity wer e enhanced when drug concentration was increased.