Efficacy and Safety of Fluconazole Prophylaxis for Fungal Infections after Marrow Transplantation--A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study

TLDR

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of 400 mg/day fluconazole for preventing fungal infections during the first 75 days after marrow transplantation. The authors conducted a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial to assess this intervention. Fluconazole prophylaxis reduced systemic fungal infections from 18 % to 7 %, eliminated Candida albicans infections, lowered superficial fungal infections, fungal colonization, and empiric amphotericin B use, improved survival at day 110 (31 vs 52 deaths), and was safe with no clinically significant toxicity.

Abstract

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the efficacy and toxicity of 400 mg/day fluconazole in preventing fungal infections during the first 75 days after marrow transplantation. During prophylaxis, systemic fungal infections occurred in 10 (7%) of 152 fluconazole-treated patients compared with 26 (18%) of 148 placebo-treated patients (P = .004). There were no Candida albicans infections in fluconazole recipients compared with 18 in placebo recipients (P < .001) and no significant increase in Candida infections other than C. albicans. Fluconazole also significantly reduced the incidence of superficial fungal infections (P < .001), fungal colonization (P = .037), and empiric amphotericin B use (P = .005). The probability of survival was improved in fluconazole recipients, in whom 31 deaths occurred up to day 110 after transplantation compared with 52 deaths in placebo recipients (P = .004). No clinically significant toxicity was detected with fluconazole use. Prophylactic fluconazole was safe and significantly reduced systemic fungal infections with other benefits, including improved survival at day 110 after marrow transplantation.