Single High-dose of Liposomal Amphotericin B in HIV/AIDS-related Disseminated Histoplasmosis: a Randomized Trial

Histoplasmosis is a major AIDS-defining illness in Latin America. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) is the drug of choice for treatment, but access is restricted due to the high drug and hospitalization costs of the conventional long regimens.Prospective randomized multicenter open-label trial of one or two-dose induction therapy with L-AmB versus control for disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS, followed by oral itraconazole therapy. We randomized subjects to: (i) Single dose 10 mg/kg of L-AmB; (ii) 10 mg/kg of L-AmB on D1, and 5 mg/kg of L-AmB on D3; (iii) 3 mg/kg of L-AmB daily for 2 weeks (control). The primary outcome was clinical response (resolution of fever and signs/symptoms attributable to histoplasmosis) at day 14.A total of 118 subjects were randomizedMedian CD4+ counts and clinical presentations were similar between arms. Infusion-related toxicity, kidney toxicity at multiple time-points and frequency of anemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and liver toxicity were similar. Day 14 clinical response was 84% for Single-dose L-AmB, 69% Two-dose L-AmB, and 74% Control arm (p=0.69). Overall survival on D14 was 89.0% (34/38) for Single-dose L-AmB, 78.0% (29/37) for Two-dose L-AmB, and 92.1% (35/38) for Control arm (p=0.82).One day induction therapy with 10 mg/kg of L-AmB in AIDS-related histoplasmosis was safe. Although clinical response may be non-inferior to standard L-AmB therapy, a confirmatory phase III clinical trial is needed. A single induction dose would markedly reduce drug-acquisition costs (>4-fold) and markedly shorten and simplify treatment, which are key points in terms of increased access.