Amphotericin B in liposomes: a novel therapy for histoplasmosis.

Incorporation of amphotericin B into liposomes significantly altered its toxicity, tissue distribution, and efficacy. Compared with intravenously administered amphotericin B-desoxycholate, liposome-amphotericin B showed a reduced acute toxicity and a maximal tolerable dose 9 times greater than amphotericin B-desoxycholate. Liposome-amphotericin B also produced higher tissue and lower serum concentrations than amphotericin B-desoxycholate, and was significantly more effective in prolonging survival of mice infected with Histoplasma capsulatum.