THE CURRENT STATUS OF CHEMOTHERAPY OF SYSTEMIC FUNGAL DISEASE

Abstract

In actinomycotic infections, penicillin is still the most effective chemotherapy. Sulfadiazine in combination with an antibiotic is recommended in cases of nocardiosis. Iodides and vaccine therapy have been the major therapeutic measures recommended in cases of aspergillosis. Iodides are also standard treatment for sporotrichosis, geotrichosis and penicilliosis. There is little experience in the therapy of mucormycosis, and success has been achieved in a few cases by the surgical removal of the focus of infection, or by the control of an underlying disease, e.g., diabetes. In the treatment of histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, amphotericin appears to be effective. Amphotericin, similarly, seems to be the best drug thus far for cryptococcosis. Amphotericin is least effective in systemic coccidi-oidomycosis and candidiasis, but worthy of use in the absence of other, effective chemotherapy.