Research Projects

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in AIDS patients, and the antifungal combination regimen of amphotericin B (AmB) and flucytosine (5-FU) is expensive and associated with toxicity and poor adherence. Erythromycin, a cheap and easily available macrolide antibiotic, has shown anticryptococcal activity and synergism with AmB in-vitro. However, the therapeutic efficacy of AmB and erythromycin combination has never been studied in-vivo. This study aims to evaluate the in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy of this combination against Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Erythromycin is affordable, less toxic, and easily available in developing countries, making it a reasonable alternative to 5-FC. If an in-vivo anti-cryptococcal activity and synergism with AmB is demonstrated, erythromycin may be a reasonable alternative to 5-FC, promoting better adherence to treatment and improving survival. The results of the study will form the basis for controlled clinical trials, which will offer a better evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of this combined regimen and help in developing novel treatment strategies. The study will offer novel insight on the possible use of erythromycin as an alternative to 5-FC in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, as its cheapness, ease of availability, and favorable safety profile make it a promising option for treating cryptococcal meningitis.