Antifungal prophylaxis for cryptococcal disease in adults with HIV

Antifungal primary prophylaxis with either itraconazole or fluconazole is effective in reducing the incidence of cryptococcal disease in adults with advanced HIV disease.

A Cochrane review included five studies with a total of 1316 subjects. When all studies are analyzed as a single group, the incidence of cryptococcal disease was decreased in those taking primary prophylaxis (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09, 0.46) compared to those taking placebo. However, there was no significant difference in overall mortality observed (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.71, 1.44).

When the three studies using itraconazole as the intervention were analyzed together (N=798), the incidence of cryptococcal disease was decreased in those taking itraconazole for primary prophylaxis (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03, 0.51) compared to those taking placebo; however, there was no significant difference in overall mortality (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.70, 1.80).

When the two studies using fluconazole as the intervention were analyzed together (N=518), the incidence of cryptococcal disease was decreased in those taking fluconazole for primary prophylaxis (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07, 0.87) compared to those taking placebo; however, there was no significant difference in overall mortality (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.14, 2.62).

Ədəbiyyat

1. Chang LW, Phipps WT, Kennedy GE, Rutherford GW. Antifungal interventions for the primary prevention of cryptococcal disease in adults with HIV. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005 Jul 20;(3):CD004773.