Fungal infections in AIDS. Cryptococcosis.

Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Coccidioides immitis are the three fungi that regularly cause disseminated, life-threatening disease in patients with AIDS. Cryptococcosis is the fourth most common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS and results in meningitis or pneumonia or both, in most cases. In addition, there have been unusual focal infections described and even unexplained fever alone. In any patient at risk for HIV infection, routine screening tests should include serum cryptococcal antigens, and this test should be repeated whenever new symptoms or signs appear. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment with amphotericin B is mandatory and a response should be expected. The necessity for combination therapy with flucytosine has not been documented. When the disease is under control and a course of 1 to 2 gm of amphotericin B has been administered, a maintenance suppressive regimen using amphotericin B at least weekly must be given. Oral azole regimens, such as ketoconazole or fluconazole, are under study and offer promise of a more easily managed maintenance program.