Antifungal prophylaxis with low doses fluconazole in patients with hematological malignancies

The incidence of mycotic infections in immunocompromised patients has reached a 20-fold rise for the last two decades.

The goal of the study was to evaluate fluconazole efficacy as antifungal prophylaxis in patients with hematological malignancies.

Sixty nine patients with hematological malignancies and neutrophil count less than 1.0 x 10(9)/L received fluconazole orally at a dose of 150 mg every other day. Fluconazole was discontinued when a neutrophil count above 1.5 x 10(9)/L was maintained. Duration of neutropenic periods, afebrile cycles, and incidence of mycotic infections were assessed. The same variables were observed in a control group of 41 patients who did not receive antifungal prophylactic therapy.

Both groups were similar in the mean duration of neutropenic period but the afebrile cycles in the patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis were longer by 5 days compared to these in the patients without prophylaxis. The mycotic infections had lower incidence in the patients on antifungal prophylaxis and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The superficial mycotic infections composed the majority of the clinically and/or microbiologically verified infections. These were presented by oropharyngeal infection (61%), esophageal (22%), and single cases of skin, genital or rectal infections. Candida albicans was isolated in 85% of the cases. The adverse reactions of fluconazole therapy were mild, transient, and easily manageable. No signs of liver and renal dysfunction were observed.

Lower dose of fluconazole, 150 mg every other day p.o., has the same antifungal effect as a dose of 200 mg/day p.o. in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies which lowers the cost of treatment.