A synthetic drug used as an intravenous adjunct to amphotericin to treat severe systemic fungal infections such as candidiasis (see CANDIDA) and cryptococcosis.
n. an antifungal drug that is effective against systemic infections, including cryptococcosis and candidiasis. Side-effects may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, and blood disorders.
A rare infection caused by inhaling the fungus CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS found especially in soil contaminated with pigeon droppings. The most serious form the infection can take is meningitis. Another form of infection causes growths in the lungs, resulting in chest pain and a cough, or on the skin, causing a rash of ulcers. Most cases of cryptococcosis occur in people with reduced immunity, such as those with AIDS.
Cryptococcal meningitis is diagnosed from a sample of spinal fluid.
A combination of amphotericin B and another antifungal drug, flucytosine, is usually prescribed.
Most cases in which only the lungs are infected need no treatment.... cryptococcosis
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