Liposomal Amphotericin B (liposomal + amphotericin_b)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A sporadic case of visceral leishmaniasis from Kocaeli, Turkey,

APMIS, Issue 11 2006
Case report
Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in the western and southeastern parts of Turkey. We report a sporadic case of visceral leishmaniasis from Kocaeli, which is not an endemic area. The patient, a 10-month-old male infant, had since birth never been outside the city. He was referred to our hospital with a one-month history of fever. Antibiotics were administered but fever persisted. There were Leishman bodies in the bone marrow aspirate, both in macrophages and in clusters among other cells. Immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) detected no antibodies in the mother. Liposomal amphotericin B was administered. Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with persistant fever, hepatosplenomegaly and cytopenia, even in nonendemic areas. [source]


Liposomal amphotericin B versus the combination of fluconazole and itraconazole as prophylaxis for invasive fungal infections during induction

CANCER, Issue 2 2003
Chemotherapy for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome
Abstract BACKGROUND Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The authors evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) compared with a combination of fluconazole plus itraconazole (F+I) as prophylaxis in this setting. METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed AML or high-risk MDS who were undergoing initial induction chemotherapy were randomized to receive either F+I (fluconazole 200 mg orally every 12 hours plus itraconazole tablets 200 mg orally every 12 hours) or L-AmB (3 mg/kg intravenously 3 times per week) in this prospective, open-label study. RESULTS Seventy-two L-AmB-treated patients and 67 F+I-treated patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 47% of patients completed antifungal prophylaxis without a change in therapy for proven or suspected fungal infection. Three patients in each arm developed a proven fungal infection. Twenty-three percent of the L-AmB-treated patients and 24% of the F+I-treated patients were changed to alternative antifungal therapy because of persistent fever (P value not significant). Nine percent of the L-AmB-treated patients developed pneumonia of unknown etiology compared with 16% of the F+I-treated patients (P value not significant). Increases in serum creatinine levels to > 2 mg/dL (20% for the L-AmB arm vs. 6% for the F+I arm; P = 0.012) and increases in serum bilirubin levels to > 2 mg/dL (43% vs. 22%, respectively; P = 0.021) were more common with L-AmB. Infusion-related reactions were noted in five L-AmB-treated patients. Responses to chemotherapy and induction mortality rates were similar for the two arms. CONCLUSIONS L-AmB and F+I appear similar in their efficacy as antifungal prophylaxis during induction chemotherapy for patients with AML and MDS. L-AmB was associated with higher rates of increased serum bilirubin and creatinine levels. Cancer 2003;97:450,6. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11094 [source]


A cost-effectiveness analysis of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B for treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Karin Bruynesteyn
Abstract Objective:, To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK. Methods:, The cost-effectiveness of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B was evaluated using a decision-tree model. The decision tree was populated using both data and clinical definitions from published clinical studies. Model outcomes included success in terms of resolution of fever, baseline infection, absence of breakthrough infection, survival and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) saved. Discontinuation due to nephrotoxicity or other adverse events were included in the model. Efficacy and safety data were based on additional analyses of a randomised, double blind, multinational trial of caspofungin compared with liposomal amphotericin B. Information on life expectancy, quality of life, medical resource consumption and costs were obtained from peer-reviewed published data. Results:, The caspofungin mean total treatment cost was £9762 (95% uncertainty interval 6955,12 577), which was £2033 (,2489; 6779) less than liposomal amphotericin B. Treatment with caspofungin resulted in 0.40 (,0.12; 0.94) additional QALYs saved in comparison with liposomal amphotericin B. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis found a 95% probability of the incremental cost per QALY saved being within the generally accepted threshold for cost-effectiveness (£30 000). Additional analyses with varying dose of caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B confirmed these findings. Conclusion:, Given the underlying assumptions, caspofungin is cost-effective compared with liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK. [source]


Cost-effective use of liposomal amphotericin B

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
B. O'Connell
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Successful treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous zygomycosis in an immunosuppressed patient with aplastic anaemia

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 1-2 2007
Yumin Chan
Abstract: Zygomycosis in patients with persistent neutropenia had been associated with poor outcomes despite aggressive surgical and antifungal therapy. We describe the case of a 10-year-old girl with aplastic anaemia and persistent neutropenia who developed cutaneous and subcutaneous zygomycosis of her right thigh that was successfully treated with extensive surgical debridement, intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, later changed to oral posaconazole for long-term suppressive therapy and granulocyte colony stimulating factor. [source]


Successful treatment of pulmonary zygomycosis in two transplant recipients with liposomal amphotericin B and partial surgical resection followed by posaconazole

MYCOSES, Issue 2 2010
David T. Cooke
Summary Pulmonary zygomycosis is a relatively uncommon complication of solid organ or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and has a high associated mortality. Optimal therapy consists of complete resection of infected tissue and treatment with amphotericin B (AmB). We describe two patients, one of whom underwent orthotopic heart transplantation and the other who received a peripheral blood stem cell transplant, who were diagnosed with invasive pulmonary zygomycosis. Both patients were treated with a liposomal preparation of AmB and early partial resection of the infected structures followed by prolonged posaconazole maintenance therapy. Despite incomplete resection, this treatment regimen resulted in a favourable outcome in both patients, including survival of more than 17 months in one patient at last follow up. For patients in whom complete resection of pulmonary zygomycosis is not possible, subtotal resection and treatment with liposomal AmB followed by therapy with posaconazole may be an effective treatment option. [source]


Interaction of amphotericin B lipid formulations and triazoles with human polymorphonuclear leucocytes for antifungal activity against Zygomycetes

MYCOSES, Issue 2 2008
Maria Simitsopoulou
Summary The frequency of zygomycosis has increased considerably over recent years mainly in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Little is known about the effects of host innate immunity against different Zygomycetes especially under the influence of antifungal agents. The antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in combination with liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB), amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC), voriconazole (VRC) and posaconazole (PSC) against Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus, frequently isolated Zygomycetes, were studied and compared with Absidia corymbifera, a less pathogenic Zygomycete. Antifungal activity was evaluated as per cent of hyphal damage using the XTT metabolic assay. While A. corymbifera was more susceptible to PMN than the other two Zygomycetes, R. microsporus appeared to be the most susceptible to combined effects of amphotericin B formulations and VRC with PMN. LAMB exhibited synergistic activity with PMN in inducing hyphal damage to R. microsporus but not to the other fungi. In contrast, ABLC exhibited synergistic or additive activity with PMN against all three fungi. Among triazoles, only VRC exhibited additive effect with PMN against R. microsporus. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B and particularly ABLC interact with PMN predominantly in inducing augmented hyphal damage to three different species of Zygomycetes. [source]


Review of comparative studies between conventional and liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome®) in neutropenic patients with fever of unknown origin and patients with systemic mycosis

MYCOSES, Issue 9-10 2000
I. W. Blau
Summary Fungal infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Treatment with amphotericin B is the main therapeutic approach. However, this treatment is limited by the substantial toxicity. We present the data of the first randomized prospective comparative trial in adults (134 patients with fever of unknown origin) with conventional amphotericin B and a liposomal formulation of amphotericin B (AmBisome®, published in 1997 by Prentice et al. (Br. J. Haematol. 98, 711,718) and the data of adults with documented fungal infections (59 patients), treated in this trial. Patients received either conventional amphotericin B 1 mg kg,1 per day, liposomal amphotericin B 1 mg kg,1 per day or liposomal amphotericin B 3 mg kg,1 per day. Patients were entered if they had fever of unknown origin (FUO), defined as temperature of 38 °C or more, not responding to 96 h of systemic broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment, and neutropenia (<0.5×109 l,1). Efficacy of treatment was assessed, with success defined as resolution of fever for three consecutive days (<38 °C) in the group of patients with FUO and the freedom of clinical signs and/or the elimination of fungus in the group of patients with documented fungal infections. The safety of treatment and renal and hepatic toxicity of liposomal and conventional amphotericin B were compared. No statistically significant difference was found in the treatment efficacy in the three study arms. However, there is a tendency of better treatment results in the two groups of patients, who received liposomal amphotericin B. Thirty-five per cent of patients with documented fungal infections and 46% of patients with FUO responded to amphotericin B. In the patients group, that received 1 mg kg,1 liposomal amphotericin B it was 63 and 49%, in the group of patients that received 3 mg kg,1 liposomal amphotericin B it was 47 and 64%. Evidence of toxicity due to amphotericin B was seen in 50 patients (83%), toxicity due to liposomal amphotericin B, 1 mg kg,1, was seen in 35 patients (50%), and due to liposomal amphotericin B 3 mg kg,1 in 34 patients (54%). This was a statistically significant difference (P=0.001). It was concluded that liposomal amphotericin B was safer than conventional amphotericin B, but both formulations are equivalent in treatment efficacy. The prophylactic use of amphotericin B in these immunocompromised patients is discussed. [source]


Amphotericin B-induced hepatorenal failure in cystic fibrosis

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2002
MRCPCH, Uthara R. Mohan MB
Abstract Although nephrotoxicity is a common and well-recognized side effect of amphotericin B, hepatotoxicity is rare. We report on a 9-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis who developed fulminant renal and hepatic dysfunction following a short course of intravenous amphotericin B for a suspected aspergillus infection, although she did not have clinical evidence of invasive aspergillosis. The toxicity became apparent after changing to liposomal amphotericin. This association of renal and hepatotoxicity with liposomal amphotericin B has not previously been reported in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 33:497,500. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Exogenous Interferon-, Immunotherapy for Invasive Fungal Infections in Kidney Transplant Patients

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2010
D. Armstrong-James
The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in nonneutropenic solid organ transplant patients is increasing. We report our clinical experience with the use of interferon-, (IFN-,) immunotherapy in seven renal transplant patients who developed life threatening, disseminated IFIs refractory to conventional antifungal drug therapy. The infections were all microbiologically and histologically proven. The rapid cure of these disseminated infections with exogenous IFN-, injections was not associated with impaired kidney allograft function despite the use of liposomal amphotericin B in all cases. No clinical toxicity from the IFN-, immunotherapy was seen and no IFI relapsed during long-term follow-up. Our experience is both uncontrolled and in patients with unpredictable fungal infection-related outcomes. However, compared to standard approaches, the accelerated cure of life threatening, disseminated IFIs with 6 weeks of combination antifungal drug therapy and IFN-, immunotherapy saved lives, retained allograft function and led to substantial cost savings in this small patient group. [source]


Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: Parasitic Interstitial Nephritis, a Cause of Renal Dysfunction

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2010
S. Dettwiler
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to Leishmania infantum is an endemic parasitic infection in the Mediterranean area. It most commonly affects immunosuppressed individuals, especially HIV patients and less frequently organ transplant recipients. Renal involvement seems to be frequent and is mostly associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis, as described in autopsy reports. In the 61 cases of renal transplant recipients with VL reported in the literature, renal dysfunction was noted at clinical presentation and was more frequently observed as a complication of antiparasitic therapy. However, no pathological analysis of the allograft lesions was reported. We present the case of a Swiss renal transplant recipient who developed VL after vacations in Spain and Tunisia, complicated by acute parasitic nephritis in the renal allograft 3 months after a well-conducted treatment of liposomal amphotericin B. [source]


Role of Humoral Mediators in, and Influence of a Liposomal Formulation on, Acute Amphotericin B Nephrotoxicity

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2001
Ramzi Sabra
Both direct effects of amphotericin B on contractile vascular cells, and indirect effects, due to humoural mediators, have been proposed. This study examines the role of nitric oxide, endothelin and angiotensin II in the acute nephrotoxic effects of amphotericin B in rats, and compares the antifungal and nephrotoxic effects of liposomal amphotericin B and amphotericin B-deoxycholate. Anaesthetized rats were given infusions of amphotericin B-deoxycholate in the presence or absence of N-nitro-L-arginine, PD 145065, a non-specific endothelin receptor antagonist, and L-158809, an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, or increasing doses of liposomal amphotericin B. Amphotericin B-deoxycholate (0.03 mg/kg/min intravenously) caused a significant 44% reduction in glomerular filtration rate and 65% maximal fall in renal blood flow. N-Nitro-L-arginine-treated rats had a lower renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate at baseline, but sustained similar reduction of 53% and 75% in these parameters, respectively. PD145065 and L-158809 did not modify these effects either. Increasing doses of liposomal amphotericin B (from 0.01 up to 0.50 mg/kg/min.) induced no change in either glomerular filtration rate or renal blood flow. In vitro susceptibility tests revealed similar potency for liposomal amphotericin B and amphotericin B-deoxycholate in their fungistatic effects and slightly higher potency for amphotericin B-deoxycholate in their fungicidal effect. These results suggest that endogenous endothelin, angiotensin II or nitric oxide systems are not involved in the nephrotoxic effects of amphotericin B. The liposomal amphotericin B results suggest that amphotericin B nephrotoxicity is due to a direct interaction of amphotericin B with renal cells that is prevented by its encapsulation in liposomes. [source]


Amphotericin B lipid complex as prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing induction chemotherapy

CANCER, Issue 3 2004
Gloria N. Mattiuzzi M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND The optimal antifungal prophylactic regimen for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing induction chemotherapy has yet to be identified. A prospective historical control study evaluated the efficacy and safety of amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) in this patient population. METHODS Newly diagnosed patients with AML or high-risk MDS who were undergoing induction chemotherapy received prophylactic ABLC 2.5 mg/kg intravenously 3 times weekly. This treatment group was compared with a historical control group that had similar baseline characteristics and received prophylactic liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) 3 mg/kg 3 times weekly. The primary endpoint was the incidence of documented or suspected fungal infections during and up to 4 weeks after cessation of prophylaxis. Reported adverse events were used to assess tolerability. RESULTS The overall efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis was similar in patients who received ABLC and patients who received L-AmB (P = 0.95). Among 131 ABLC-treated patients and 70 L-AmB-treated patients who ere assessed for efficacy and safety, 49% of patients in each group completed therapy without developing a documented or suspected fungal infection. Documented fungal infections occurred in 5% of ABLC-treated patients and in 4% of L-AmB-treated patients. Alternative antifungal strategies were required because of persistent fever or pneumonia of unknown pathogen in 28% and 32% of ABLC-treated and L-AmB-treated patients, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events, therapy discontinuations due to adverse events, and survival rates also were similar between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS ABLC and L-AmB appeared to have similar efficacy and were tolerated well as antifungal prophylaxis in patients with AML and high-risk MDS who were undergoing induction chemotherapy. Cancer 2004. © 2003 American Cancer Society. [source]


Liposomal amphotericin B versus the combination of fluconazole and itraconazole as prophylaxis for invasive fungal infections during induction

CANCER, Issue 2 2003
Chemotherapy for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome
Abstract BACKGROUND Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The authors evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) compared with a combination of fluconazole plus itraconazole (F+I) as prophylaxis in this setting. METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed AML or high-risk MDS who were undergoing initial induction chemotherapy were randomized to receive either F+I (fluconazole 200 mg orally every 12 hours plus itraconazole tablets 200 mg orally every 12 hours) or L-AmB (3 mg/kg intravenously 3 times per week) in this prospective, open-label study. RESULTS Seventy-two L-AmB-treated patients and 67 F+I-treated patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 47% of patients completed antifungal prophylaxis without a change in therapy for proven or suspected fungal infection. Three patients in each arm developed a proven fungal infection. Twenty-three percent of the L-AmB-treated patients and 24% of the F+I-treated patients were changed to alternative antifungal therapy because of persistent fever (P value not significant). Nine percent of the L-AmB-treated patients developed pneumonia of unknown etiology compared with 16% of the F+I-treated patients (P value not significant). Increases in serum creatinine levels to > 2 mg/dL (20% for the L-AmB arm vs. 6% for the F+I arm; P = 0.012) and increases in serum bilirubin levels to > 2 mg/dL (43% vs. 22%, respectively; P = 0.021) were more common with L-AmB. Infusion-related reactions were noted in five L-AmB-treated patients. Responses to chemotherapy and induction mortality rates were similar for the two arms. CONCLUSIONS L-AmB and F+I appear similar in their efficacy as antifungal prophylaxis during induction chemotherapy for patients with AML and MDS. L-AmB was associated with higher rates of increased serum bilirubin and creatinine levels. Cancer 2003;97:450,6. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11094 [source]


Involvement of intraocular structures in disseminated histoplasmosis

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010
Marianne Ala-Kauhaluoma
Abstract. Purpose:, To describe ocular involvement and response to treatment in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with severe progressive disseminated histoplasmosis (PDH). Methods:, We report a 35-year-old HIV-infected patient seen in our clinics over a period of 4 years. During antiretroviral treatment (ART), the HIV load became undetectable at 3 months; however, CD4 T-cell count increased slowly and rose to 100 cells/,l. Histoplasma capsulatum was cultured from skin pustules, cerebrospinal fluid (CF) and aqueous humour. Results:, The patient developed central nervous system (CNS) involvement 2 months and panuveitis in both eyes 4 months after the initiation of ART. With intravenous liposomal amphotericin B followed by oral voricanozole, the chorioretinal lesions of the right eye (RE) became inactivated and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions of CNS disappeared. Relapse of the inflammation in the anterior segment of the left eye (LE) resulted in a total closure of the chamber angle and severe glaucoma. Despite medical therapy, two cyclophotocoagulations, total vitrectomy and repeated intravitreal amphotericin B injections, LE became blind. Histoplasma capsulatum was cultured from the aqueous humour after antifungal therapy of 16 months' duration. Conclusion:, PDH with intraocular and CNS manifestations was probably manifested by an enhanced immune response against a previous subclinical disseminated infection. It seems difficult to eradicate H. capsulatum from the anterior segment of the eye in an immunocompromised patient. [source]