Amphotericin Alone or in Combination With Fluconazole for AIDS-Associated Meningitis

Inclusion Criteria: First episode of cryptococcal meningitis as evidenced by a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) stain or cryptococcal antigen, CSF culture pending Documentation of proven diagnosis of HIV-1 infection by acceptable labs at any time in the past: this testing includes Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or approved rapid testing method with confirmation by Western blot, a second positive ELISA, a positive HIV antigen, or HIV RNA detection. OR -Presumptive diagnosis of HIV-1 by approved rapid testing method at screening. This testing must be confirmed by a second ELISA (or Western blot), a positive HIV antigen, or HIV RNA detection within 10 days of study entry. OR Presumptive HIV+. If serologic testing is not available, a history of an AIDS-defining illness (Category C, CDC, 1993) or any of the following conditions: extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii disease; multi-dermatomal herpes zoster (>10 lesions in a non-contiguous site); American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) of the CNS; Penicillium marneffei disease; visceral leishmaniasis; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of any cell-type; Hodgkin's lymphoma; bartonellosis; microsporidiosis (>1 month's duration); nocardiosis; invasive aspergillosis; or Rhodococcus equi disease. Confirmation of HIV infection by lab testing, i.e., ELISA or approved rapid testing method with confirmation by Western blot, a second positive ELISA, a positive HIV antigen, or HIV RNA detection must be performed within 10 days of study entry. Subjects who are 13 years of age or greater. Baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) with QTc interval less than or equal to 500 milliseconds as determined by use of Fredericia's Correction formula. Ability of subject or legally authorized representative to give informed consent. For subjects who are unable to provide informed consent, sites will follow their own individual Institutional Review Board (IRB) policy regarding the informed consent process. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy. Urine or serum testing must be performed at study entry or within the 7 days prior to study entry. Women of childbearing potential unwilling to use a medically approved and highly effective form of birth control while on study drug and for 2 weeks after last dose. Acceptable forms of birth control include an intrauterine device (IUD), oral contraceptives, condoms, abstinence, injectable contraceptive, or any other highly effective means of birth control. (A highly effective method of birth control is defined as those which result in a low failure rate [i.e. less than 1 percent per year] when used consistently and correctly.) Emergency contraceptive treatment and coitus interruptus are not considered effective forms of contraception. Breastfeeding. A concurrent central nervous system (CNS) process that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with assessment of response, such as lymphoma, toxoplasmosis, or tuberculosis. Other conditions that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety of a subject participating in the study or would render the subject unable to comply with the study plan, such as homelessness or IV drug use. Estimated creatinine clearance of less than 50 mL/min. NOTE: Testing must be performed at study entry or within the 7 days prior to study entry. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) greater than 5x the upper limit of normal or bilirubin greater than 2.5 x the upper limit of normal. Results from tests performed within the 7 days prior to study entry may be used. Known intolerance of or allergy to fluconazole or amphotericin B. Subjects unlikely to survive for 2 weeks. Coma. More than 3 days of any systemic antifungal therapy for this fungal infection, or the need for concurrent systemic antifungal therapy, including flucytosine or interferon-g. Subjects taking fluconazole at less than or equal to 200 mg/day for prophylaxis are not excluded. Inability to take oral medications. Subjects who have received the following drugs within 7 days of study enrollment: rifampin, rifamycin, rifabutin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, cyclosporin A, tacrolimus, sirolimus, or long-acting barbiturates. Subjects who are receiving nevirapine at baseline. Strong clinical suspicion of untreated active tuberculosis. (Patients on anti-TB therapy not including rifampin or rifamycin may be eligible.) Previous participation in this study or ongoing participation in another trial with an investigational drug. Prior case of cryptococcosis with diagnosed central nervous system involvement.