Final answer:
To treat cryptococcosis, amphotericin B and flucytosine must be used over a period of weeks or months. Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection that can be particularly severe in immunocompromised individuals. After the initial treatment, patients often need maintenance therapy with fluconazole to fully clear the infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
To treat cryptococcosis, amphotericin B and flucytosine must be used over a period of weeks or months. Cryptococcosis is an infection caused by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, which is commonly found in soil and bird feces. This fungal infection is particularly perilous for immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS, who may require life-long suppressive therapy.
Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug targeting fungal cell membranes but is also known for causing significant side effects like nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it is often used in combination with flucytosine, which inhibits DNA replication and protein synthesis in fungi. However, flucytosine can also result in serious side effects like hepatotoxicity and bone marrow depression. After initial treatment with amphotericin B and flucytosine, patients usually need to continue with fluconazole for up to 6 months to clear the infection completely.
Cryptococcal meningitis, a severe manifestation of cryptococcosis affecting the brain, also requires prolonged treatment with amphotericin B plus flucytosine for at least 10 weeks due to the difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier with antifungal drugs and their strong side effects necessitating low dosage.