Treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in mice with fluconazole.

Fluconazole is a recently developed triazole with activity in vitro against Cryptococcus neoformans, water solubility, and excellent oral absorption. We compared fluconazole in murine cryptococcosis with ketoconazole and amphotericin B. Fluconazole was highly effective in suppressing cryptococcosis in mice challenged by the intravenous and intranasal routes, and was comparable with the other two drugs in its protective capacity. However, fluconazole was superior to ketoconazole and comparable with amphotericin B after intracerebral challenge. Fluconazole may warrant clinical evaluation in cryptococcosis.