A prospective study of the efficacy of fluconazole (UK-49,858) against deep-seated fungal infections

Abstract

Fluconazole (UK-49,858) is a new bis-triazole antifungal drug that can be administered both orally and intravenously. We conducted an open clinical trial on the efficacy of fluconazole (50-100 mg) once daily in 20 non-neutropenic patients with deep-seated fungal infections. Seventeen patients (eight females, nine males, median age 56 years) could be evaluated clinically. All patients had an underlying disease, while eight also received immunosuppressive therapy. The median duration of treatment was 33 days (range 8-194 days). Clinical cure or improvement was achieved in 14 of 17 patients (82%). Nine patients were both clinically and microbiologically cured. Fluconazole was especially effective in patients with candidal infections. Two patients with cryptococcal meningitis were clinically cured; one of the two was also microbiologically cured. No serious side effects of fluconazole were encountered.