Objective: To assess kinetic of cryptococci in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and outcome of AIDS-associated cyptococcal meningitis after high-dose amphotericin B.

Patients and Methods: A prospective study involving Thai adults (n=106) with cryptococcal meningitis associated with AIDS was conducted to determine the kinetic of cryptococci in CSF and prognostic factors affecting survival after high-dose amphotericin B (0.7mg/kg/day) followed by oral azole treatment. Cerebrospinal fluids were collected for cryptococcal count and culture at weekly intervals for at least 2 weeks or until CSF cultures were negative for cryptococci. All patients were followed monthly for 1 year or untill death in order to detect relapse or occurrence of any other opportunistic infection.

Results: A total of 106 AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis were enrolled. The geometric mean (range) total and viable cryptococcal counts in CSF on admission were 430000 (1000 to 3.4×10⁷) and 31000 (10 to 1.4×10⁷) per ml, respectively. Both total and viable cryptococcal counts declined monoexponentially with an elimination half life of 4 days. The cumulative CSF yeast clearance rates were 38% and 56% at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Early death was associated significantly with previous history of weight loss [relative risk (RR)=2.2; 95% CI, 1.2–3.9], Glasgow Coma Score <13 (RR=2.33; 95% CI, 1.55–3.50), and hypoalbuminaemia (P<0.001). Later mortality was associated delayed CSF yeast clearance (RR=3.6; 95% CI, 1.9–6.4) and relapse (RR=3.9; 95% CI, 1.4–10.8).

Conclusion: High-dose amphotericin B was not as effective as previously thought. Cumulative mortality at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 1 year were 16%, 24% and 76%, respectively.