AMPHOTERICIN-B AND ITRACONAZOLE FOR TREATMENT OF DISSEMINATED PENICILLIUM-MARNEFFEI INFECTION IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-INFECTED PATIENTS

Disseminated infection with Penicillium marneffei is common in patient s infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Southeast Asia. Treatment with amphotericin B alone is effective but requires a prolon ged hospital stay. We conducted an open-label nonrandomized study to e valuate the efficacy and safety of treatment with amphotericin B at a dosage of 0.6 mg/(kg.d) intraveneously for 2 weeks, followed by a 400- mg/d dosage of oral itraconazole for 10 weeks. Of the 74 HIV-infected patients we studied who had disseminated P. marneffei infection, diagn osed by positive fungal culture and clinical evidence of infection, 72 (97.3%) responded to the treatment. There were no serious adverse dru g effects. It was concluded that the regimen was effective and safe fo r treatment of disseminated P. marneffei infection in HIV-infected pat ients.