Summary
June 2007, Vol. 16, No. 6, Pages 899-908
(doi:10.1517/13543784.16.6.899)

The use of caspofungin in HIV-infected individuals
Laura Waters & Mark Nelson
St Stephen’s Centre, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK.
† Author for correspondence



Fungal infections are a significant cause of HIV-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in the developing world, but also in countries with access to highly active antiretroviral therapy. New agents are essential to improve present efficacy rates, particularly in cases of drug resistance. Caspofungin is a new antifungal from the echinocandin class and is licensed for the treatment of candidal infections and as a second-line therapy for invasive aspergillosis. In this paper, the pharmacology, interaction and susceptibility data for this agent are reviewed and studies supporting the use of this agent in HIV-infected individuals are examined. Finally, evidence for the use of caspofungin for the treatment of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, an unlicensed indication, including a case series from our own unit is explored.

Full Text | PDF (170 KB) | PDF Plus (317 KB)
 

Prev. Article | Next Article
View/Print PDF (170 KB)
View PDF Plus (317 KB)
Add to favourite
Email to a friend
TOC Alert | Citation Alert What is RSS?

Quick Links
 • Alert me when:
New articles cite this article
 • Download to citation manager
 • Related articles found in:
Expert Opinion series
 • View Most Downloaded Articles
 
 
Quick Search
for 
Authors:
Laura Waters
Mark Nelson
Keywords:
antifungal
caspofungin
echinocandin
HIV
opportunistic infection