A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of fluconazole as early empiric treatment of coccidioidomycosis pneumonia (Valley Fever) in adults presenting with community-acquired pneumonia in endemic areas (FLEET-Valley Fever).

INTRODUCTION: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic in the southwestern United States (US). Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (PPC) is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in this region, although its diagnosis is often delayed, leading to lag in antifungal treatment and subsequent morbidity. The impact of early empiric antifungal therapy as part of treatment for CAP in endemic areas on clinical outcomes is unknown. METHODS: Phase IV randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in individuals aged 18 years or older with CAP who met all eligibility criteria in Coccidioides endemic regions in the US. Eligible participants with CAP were randomized to receive either fluconazole (400 mg daily) or matching placebo for 42 days and were subsequently monitored for clinical resolution of their illness. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to assess the clinical response of early empiric antifungal therapy with fluconazole through Day 22 in subjects with PPC who were adherent to the study intervention. Secondary objectives included: assessments of the impact of early empiric antifungal therapy with fluconazole through Day 22 and 43 in subjects with PPC regardless of adherence, comparisons of the clinical response and its individual components over time by treatment group in subjects with PPC, assessments of days lost from work or school, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. DISCUSSION: This trial was halted early due to slow enrollment (72 participants in one year, 33 received fluconazole and 39 received placebo). Of those enrolled, eight (11%) met the study definition of PPC. The study design and challenges are discussed.

Patterns of Care and Treatment Outcomes for Outpatient Daptomycin-Containing Regimens in Osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Use of daptomycin at doses ≥ 6 mg/kg for treatment of osteomyelitis is increasing in clinical practice; unfortunately, limited data are available to guide optimal dosing and duration. The objective of this study was to assess daptomycin dosing and duration regimens for osteomyelitis treatment. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multi-site, cohort study conducted in an integrated healthcare delivery system. Nonpregnant patients ≥ 18 years of age with osteomyelitis diagnosed between November 1, 2003 and June 30, 2011, ≥ 2 weeks outpatient daptomycin therapy, and ≥ 1 month of follow-up were included. Daptomycin doses < 6 mg/kg and ≥ 6 mg/kg at durations of < 6 weeks and ≥ 6 weeks were examined with univariate and multivariate analyses to assess treatment success and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 247 patients were included, with 39 (15.8%), 37 (15.0%), 107 (43.3%), and 64 (25.9%) receiving < 6 mg/kg and ≥ 6 weeks, < 6 mg/kg and < 6 weeks, ≥ 6 mg/kg and ≥ 6 weeks, and ≥ 6 mg/kg and < 6 weeks of daptomycin therapy, respectively. Patients had a mean age of 58 years and had received prior vancomycin therapy (65.6%). Patients receiving < 6 weeks of therapy were less likely to experience treatment success compared with ≥ 6 weeks (41.5% vs 25.3%, adjusted odds ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.31-0.98) independent of duration. There were no differences across groups in mortality after adjustment. CONCLUSION: In a diverse clinical population, daptomycin for treatment of osteomyelitis of 6 weeks or longer duration was associated with success independent of dose. This finding supports longer treatment with daptomycin as a first-line agent in antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.