Improved antifungal treatment for early widespread cryptococcal infection
Enhanced Antifungal Therapy to Improve Survival in Early Disseminated Cryptococcal Infection
This project offers stronger antifungal drug combinations to adults with advanced HIV who have cryptococcal antigen in their blood to try to reduce deaths.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11393579 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have advanced HIV and a positive cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) blood test, this work looks at giving more powerful antifungal medicines early before meningitis starts. Currently many people get fluconazole after a positive CrAg test, but a sizable number still die, especially when antigen levels are high. The team believes some people already have early, widespread infection in the brain that fluconazole does not clear, so they plan to give enhanced antifungal regimens to see if outcomes improve. The effort links screening, blood CrAg titers, and early treatment in clinical settings where cryptococcal disease is common.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with HIV (typically CD4 counts <200) who test positive for cryptococcal antigen in their blood, especially in regions with high cryptococcal disease like sub-Saharan Africa.
Not a fit: People without cryptococcal antigen in their blood or those who already have advanced, symptomatic cryptococcal meningitis may not benefit from this early preemptive approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower deaths among people with advanced HIV who are CrAg positive by treating early infections more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials showed that CrAg screening plus preemptive fluconazole reduced deaths, but giving stronger antifungal combinations early is less tested and represents a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajasingham, Radha — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Rajasingham, Radha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.