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CC 48 Antifungal
CC 48 Antifungal
CC 48 Antifungal
Case
A 25-year old female with systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted due
to confusion and progressive visual loss. Condition started 3 weeks prior to
admission when she experienced persistent headache and fever with a
temperature of 39°C. She was given antibiotics and antipyretic but
symptoms persisted. On admission she was noted to be lethargic, febrile
with some sensory deficits. Laboratory results showed lymphopenia and CSF
examination had mononuclear pleocytosis and elevated protein level. CrAg is
positive. Patient underwent pulse therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide
and methylprednisolone a few days before symptoms appeared.
Impression: Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcus is a yeast-like fungus responsible for cryptococcosis.
C. neoformans and C. gattii are two species of cryptococcus known to cause
disease in humans. C. neoformans are found in contaminated soils and bird
feces, particularly that of pigeon’s while C. gattii are associated with various
trees including different species of eucalyptus tree.
While C. neoformans can also cause meningoencephalitis in healthy
individuals, it is rare to occur in the absence of impaired immunity and more
often it targets patients with weakened host defenses like those with AIDS,
leukemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and even transplant recipients
undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.
C. gattii on the other hand cause disease in immunocompetent
individuals.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Infection from this fungus is acquired through inhalation of infected
particles. It is believed that this infection is acquired during childhood; and
is either cleared by the pulmonary defense mechanisms or they go into a
latent phase for a prolonged period of time inside the body and cause
infection when the immune system becomes too weak. However little is
known what happens upon initial infection-- whether symptoms were
presented or not.
Inhaled cells reach the alveolar spaces where they rehydrate and
form a polysaccharide capsule resistant to phagocytosis and interfere with
local immune responses. Alveolar macrophages will phagocytose the yeast,
however innate and adaptive humoral and T Cell mediated host response
needs to be coordinated in order to successfully contain and kill the fun
Thus deficiencies in host’s immunity will allow the yeast to survive as a
facultative intracellular pathogen in macrophages as they migrate from the
lungs to draining lymph nodes, and finally disseminate via the bloodstream
and to the meninges.
Infection from this fungus causes little or no inflammatory response.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Cryptococcus spp can cause pneumonia and/or meningoencephalitis mainly. In
severely immunosuppressed patients, C. neoformans may spread to the skin, liver,
spleen, adrenals and bones.
Pulmonary cryptococcosis is usually presented as a cough with increased
sputum production and chest pain; and fever in some cases.
However from pulmonary cryptococcosis, it can disseminate systematically
and reach the CNS and affect the meninges. Meningeal cryptococcosis is presented
with the signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis : headache, fever, lethargy,
sensory deficits, memory impairment, cranial nerve paresis, vision deficits.
Symptoms last for several weeks. (may lead to sudden catastrophic vision loss).
DIAGNOSIS
For confirmation of cryptococcal meningitis the following laboratory can be
done:
● Culture of blood, CSF and other relevant body fluids
● India Ink Staining
● And cryptococcal antigen assay
TREATMENT OBJECTIVES
● Alleviate the symptoms
● Reduce serum concentration of CrAg
● Prevention of clinical relapse
NON PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT
● Therapeutic Lumbar puncture
● often associated with increased ICP which is believed to be
responsible for damage to the brain and cranial nerves. Careful
attention to management of ICP , including the reduction of pressure
by repeated therapeutic lumbar puncture and the placements of
shunts
PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT
If cryptococcal culture-, histopathology- or serology-proven in patients, they
should immediately be given antifungal therapy. Site of infection and the immune
status should be considered in selecting the appropriate treatment for this
infection.
Some studies suggest that it is safe to discontinue maintenance therapy in AIDS
patients who have had a sustained immunologic response on effective antiretroviral
therapy if they received at least 12 months of antifungal therapy.
Amphotericin B
Mechanisms of Action
○ Amphotericin B binds to ergosterol, which is a lipid found
in cell membranes of fungi, and alters the cell’s
permeability by forming pores. The formed pores allow
the leakage of intracellular ions and macromolecules,
eventually leading to cell death. R
Comparison of Drugs
Amphotericin B - 3 points because of its ability to efficiently kill a fungi.
As for its suitability, only 2 points were given because of its
inability to cross BBB.
1 point for safety because of its high toxicity level.
2 point for cost because it is a bit expensive
Flucytosine - because of its ability to inhibit synthesis of RNA and DNA
Fluconazole :
2 mg/mL, 100 mL, Vial - 386.33
50 mg, capsule - 78.00
Vori -
200 mg,Film coated table - Php 1,405.33
200 mg lyophilized powder for solution, 30 mL, Vial - Php 5,740.10
P Drug
The best treatment recommended for the patient is a combination therapy.
For the P Drug, we are choosing fluconazole and amphotericin B.
Amphotericin B is chosen because of its ability to rapidly reduce fungal infection
especially in immunosuppressed patients. And our other choice of drug is
fluconazole. I chose this among the azoles because of its ability to penetrate the
blood brain barrier and reach the CSF.
Compared to other drugs it has a high distribution rate and can even cross the
blood brain barrier and as an azole it is safer to use than amphotericin B for a long
period of time. And also it is cheaper.
Prescription
Induction: Two weeks amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg/kg/day) + fluconazole
(1200 mg/daily)
Consolidation: Fluconazole 800 mg/daily eight weeks.
Maintenance: Fluconazole 200 mg/daily