Dosaggio biologico del fluconazolo nel plasma di soggetti HIV positivi e con candidosi orofaringea e/o esofagea

The study evaluated a modified method of bioassay for the determination of fluconazole serum levels and their correlation with the treatment of Candida infection in HIV-positive patients. In evaluating various procedures, we observed that the Candida strain concerned and the way the inoculum was applied onto the medium were critical factors in obtaining clearly delimited zones of inhibition. Serum fluconazole concentrations were in agreement with doses administered, and were sufficient to resolve Candida infection clinically and microbiologically, as was confirmed by data from susceptibility tests of the clinical isolates. The method is simple, requires low equipment costs and shows a very good correlation with the MIC results and the clinical outcome. It may therefore prove useful in the follow-up treatment of resistant or difficult infections.