Outcomes of flucytosine-containing combination treatment for cryptococcal meningitis in a South African national access programme: a cross-sectional observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although flucytosine is a key component of WHO-recommended induction treatment for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis, this antifungal agent is not widely available in low-income and middle-income countries due to limited production and cost. In 2018, a national flucytosine access programme was initiated in South Africa. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of flucytosine-containing induction regimens in routine care to motivate for the urgent registration of flucytosine and its inclusion in treatment guidelines.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we compared outcomes of adults aged 18 years and older with incident laboratory-confirmed cryptococcal meningitis treated with or without flucytosine-containing regimens at 19 sentinel hospitals in South Afric

SUBMITTER: Mashau RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11334497 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature