Posaconazole Effective for Zygomycosis

This new azole antifungal was effective as salvage therapy in most patients intolerant of — or with zygomycosis refractory to — standard treatment.

Zygomycosis, an aggressive fungal infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality, is occurring with increasing frequency among severely immunocompromised patients. Amphotericin B is the only effective agent and thus the treatment of choice, but even with treatment, disfigurement and death are common. The new azole antifungal posaconazole has shown considerable activity against Zygomycetes in vitro and is a promising treatment option. Now, researchers report results from two small, manufacturer-funded, compassionate-use trials of oral posaconazole as salvage therapy for invasive fungal infections. Of 24 patients with active zygomycosis, 5 were intolerant of standard antifungal treatment, and 19 had infections refractory to it.…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD