Comparison of one week with two week regimens of amphotericin B both followed by fluconazole in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis among AIDS patients.

BACKGROUND: Amphotericin B treatment in cryptococcosis requires daily hospital visits or admission. Its toxicities and hospital costs have been concerned. Short course amphotericin B regimen warrants to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of one-week (AmB1) with two-week (AmB2) amphotericin B both followed by fluconazole. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 57 AIDS with cryptococcal meningitis were randomly assigned to either AmB1 or AmB2. Microbiological and clinical clearances were the outcomes of the study. RESULTS: The treatment success at 6 weeks was 63.3% in AmB1 and 70.4% in AmB2 (p = 0.574). Clinical assessment at week 10 and renal toxicities were not significantly different between both regimens. Mortality rate was 14% however, 75% of deaths were in AmB2. CONCLUSION: AmB1 was comparably effective and safe as the standard AmB2 regimen in the treatment of AIDS related cryptococcal meningitis. It can be an alternative regimen to lower hospital based care and improve cost effective for source limiting health care centers.