Control of proven pulmonary and suspected CNS aspergillus infection with itraconazole in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease

Abstract

An 11-year-old boy with chronic granulomatous disease caused by cytochrome b deficiency developed right upper lung lobe aspergillosis. Intracerebral lesions developed on maximum doses of flucytosine and amphotericin B. Treatment with 16 mg/kg oral itraconazole was followed by a dramatic clinical improvement and almost complete disappearance of the intracerebral lesions. Plasma itraconazole levels were between 40 and 3440 ng/ml depending on concomitant medication. Toxicity was restricted to transient elevation of alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase. We conclude that further trials with itraconazole are justified in high risk patients in whom conventional therapy has failed.