Short report: time course of clinical response with fluconazole for Candida oesophagitis in patients with AIDS.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Short report: time course of clinical response with fluconazole for Candida oesophagitis in patients with AIDS.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1994 Jun;8(3):347-50. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/95002480
Wilcox CM; Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine,; Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although fluconazole is increasingly utilized for the therapy of Candida oesophagitis in patients with AIDS, the time course of response has not been adequately defined. METHODS: Over a 48-month period, all HIV-infected patients undergoing upper endoscopy at a large city-county hospital were identified prospectively. Symptomatic patients with endoscopic and histopathologically confirmed Candida oesophagitis in whom oral antifungal therapy had not been received within the past three months were treated in an open-label fashion with fluconazole 200 mg on the first day followed by 100 mg daily for two weeks. All patients were followed clinically to determine the rapidity of response. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were identified; all but two were male. Candida oesophagitis was graded as severe in 13 patients (72%). A complete symptomatic response was seen by five days in seven patients (39%) and by seven days in nine additional patients (cumulative response, 89%). The two other patients had improved by at least 50% at one week, with a complete symptomatic response seen at two weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms anecdotal experience suggesting that fluconazole results in a rapid clinical response for Candida oesophagitis in patients with AIDS. Given this rapidity, a one-week course of empiric treatment with fluconazole for HIV-infected patients with newly developed esophageal symptoms could be used as an appropriate time period to assess a response prior to further diagnostic evaluation with endoscopy.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS Administration, Oral Adult Candidiasis/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY Drug Administration Schedule Esophagitis/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY Female Fluconazole/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE Human Male Middle Age Prospective Studies Time Factors Treatment Outcome JOURNAL ARTICLE
950130
M9510800

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .