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Systemic and Local Drug Delivery for Treating Diseases of the Central Nervous System in Rodent Models
11:51

Systemic and Local Drug Delivery for Treating Diseases of the Central Nervous System in Rodent Models

Published on: August 16, 2010

Treatment of fungal infections of the central nervous system

W E Bell

    Annals of Neurology
    |May 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    New antifungal drugs offer expanded treatment options for central nervous system fungal infections, complementing amphotericin B. These advancements are crucial as more immunosuppressed patients survive longer and renal transplantation increases.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Neurology

    Background:

    • Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are increasingly significant due to longer survival rates for immunosuppressed patients and wider application of renal transplantation.
    • Amphotericin B remains a primary treatment for neurological fungal diseases.
    • The emergence of new antifungal agents necessitates an update on treatment strategies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the expanded therapeutic landscape for CNS fungal infections.
    • To highlight the role of new antifungal antimicrobials in combination with or as alternatives to amphotericin B.
    • To discuss the evolving treatment paradigms for these complex infections.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of recent advancements in antifungal therapies for CNS infections.
    • Analysis of the clinical utility of established and novel antifungal agents.
    • Synthesis of current treatment guidelines and emerging therapeutic options.

    Main Results:

    • New antifungal antimicrobials provide expanded treatment options, usable with or as alternatives to amphotericin B.
    • Established agents like 5-fluorocytosine and miconazole retain importance.
    • Emerging agents like ketoconazole are gaining recognition for their roles in treating neurological fungal diseases.

    Conclusions:

    • The therapeutic armamentarium for CNS fungal infections has significantly broadened.
    • Combination therapies and novel agents offer improved management strategies.
    • Continued research is essential to optimize treatment for these life-threatening infections.

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