Fungal infections in AIDS patients

Abstract

The mycoses are of increasing importance because of the AIDS epidemic. Oral and other forms of candidosis are nearly universal in AIDS patients. Cryptococcosis is the most common lethal mycosis, and may number tens of thousands of cases in AIDS worldwide annually. As the number of AIDS patients mounts, a rising tide of infections due to nearly all recognised fungal pathogens is occurring; examples include histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and penicilliosis. These experiences have led to an investigation of new drugs which are compatible with the understanding that AIDS patients presently have an incurable underlying disease; that is, the drugs would be oral (allowing outpatient management) and/or have low toxicity, and may still be useful if only as a suppressive. These investigations have thus far focused on the triazoles. The current status of the mycoses and AIDS is reviewed.