Efficacy of voriconazole in a murine model of cryptococcal central nervous system infection

OBJECTIVES: We studied the efficacy of voriconazole compared with amphotericin B in a murine model of central nervous system infection by Cryptococcus neoformans. Infection was established intracerebrally. METHODS: Mice were treated with voriconazole at 10, 40 or 60 mg/kg/day orally or with amphotericin B at 1.5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally. Treatment began 1 day after infection and continued for 10 days post-infection. Tissue burden studies were performed on day 7 and 1 day after the treatment finished. RESULTS: Both drugs were able to significantly prolong survival with respect to the control group. The highest tissue burden reduction was achieved with voriconazole at 60 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a murine model of cryptococcal central nervous system infection and demonstrated that voriconazole has a potential for the treatment of cryptococcosis.