In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cryptococcus neoformans strains from 26 individual patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and three isolates from patients without AIDS were tested for their susceptibility to amphotericin B, flucytosine, ketoconazole, and miconazole nitrate. Ninety percent of the C neoformans isolates from patients with AIDS were inhibited by drug concentrations within achievable serum levels. The minimum fungicidal concentration of the four tested antifungal agents, however, exceeded obtainable cerebrospinal fluid levels.