Objective: To investigate the efficacy of intravenous
itraconazole in the treatment and prophylaxis of invasive
aspergillosis.
Methods:An immunosuppressed rabbit model of invasive
aspergillosis was established. Itraconazole was given intravenously at a dosage of 15 mg/kg daily before or after challenge with Aspergillus fumigatus. The efficacy of itraconazole was compared with that of amphotericin B(1 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) and fluconazole (20 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ). Serum galactomannan (GM) detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cumulative mortality as well as fungal CFU in tissues were used for the evaluation of therapeutic and
prophylactic efficacy. Results:In both itraconzole and amphotericin B groups(but not fluconazole), serum GM index and fungal CFU in tissues were markedly reduced. Serum GM index and fungal CFU in tissues were also markedly reduced in prophylactic itraconzole group. Conclusions:Intravenous itraconazole is effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of experimental invasive aspergillosis.