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Treatment of central nervous system fungal infection with ketoconazole

H C Goodpasture, R E Hershberger, A M Barnett

    Archives of Internal Medicine
    |May 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Two patients with fungal central nervous system infections, including coccidioidal meningitis and cerebral histoplasmomas, showed positive responses to ketoconazole treatment. The study found effective outcomes with lower dosages and no significant adverse effects during prolonged therapy.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Neurology

    Background:

    • Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) pose significant therapeutic challenges.
    • Established treatment protocols for conditions like coccidioidal meningitis and cerebral histoplasmomas often involve prolonged antifungal therapy.
    • Ketoconazole is a known antifungal agent, but its efficacy and safety profile in CNS infections require ongoing evaluation.

    Observation:

    • Two patients diagnosed with fungal CNS infections were administered ketoconazole.
    • The treatment duration for both patients was 30 months.
    • Dosages used were notably lower than previously reported for similar fungal CNS infections.

    Findings:

    • Both patients demonstrated a positive clinical response to ketoconazole therapy.
    • The reduced dosages were sufficient to manage the fungal infections effectively.
    • No significant adverse effects were reported by either patient throughout the extended 30-month treatment period.

    Implications:

    • This case study suggests that lower doses of ketoconazole may be effective for treating certain fungal CNS infections.
    • Prolonged ketoconazole therapy appears to be well-tolerated in specific patient populations.
    • Further research into optimized ketoconazole dosing regimens for CNS mycoses is warranted.

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