To evaluate the use of fluconazole as (1) induction therapy in histoplasmosis, (2) maintenance therapy to prevent relapse of histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a serious opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal agent that has been used successfully in the treatment of experimental histoplasmosis in animals, but has not been completely evaluated in patients for this use. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for certain other fungal infections. Nevertheless, physicians are prescribing it to their patients with histoplasmosis. This is a pilot study to examine the role of fluconazole for treating histoplasmosis in AIDS patients.
Histoplasmosis is a serious opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Fluconazole is a triazole antifungal agent that has been used successfully in the treatment of experimental histoplasmosis in animals, but has not been completely evaluated in patients for this use. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for certain other fungal infections. Nevertheless, physicians are prescribing it to their patients with histoplasmosis. This is a pilot study to examine the role of fluconazole for treating histoplasmosis in AIDS patients. At least 40 patients with AIDS and an initial episode of disseminated histoplasmosis are selected for the study. Patients receive fluconazole for a total of 12 weeks. Patients who are unable to take the drug orally may receive it intravenously until oral administration is possible. Patients are evaluated at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12. Patients who are doing well without evidence of clinical failure or dose-limiting toxicity are permitted to continue maintenance therapy to prevent relapse at a reduced dose for an additional 12 months; those who relapse on the reduced dose are permitted to receive re-induction with a higher dose.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
TREATMENT
Enrollment
90
Univ of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Univ of Southern California / LA County USC Med Ctr
Los Angeles, California, United States
San Francisco Veterans Administration Med Ctr
San Francisco, California, United States
Indiana Univ Hosp
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Methodist Hosp of Indiana / Life Care Clinic
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Baystate Med Ctr of Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Worcester Memorial Hosp / Med Ctr of Cntrl MA-Memorial
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Univ of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Infectious Diseases Association / Research Med Ctr
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
St Louis Regional Hosp / St Louis Regional Med Ctr
St Louis, Missouri, United States
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