An Agent Effective Against Cryptococcosis of the Central Nervous System

Introduction  In 1950, Mosberg and Arnold reviewed all reported cases of cryptococcosis.¹ In summarizing results with more than 25 therapeutic agents, they concluded that "no methods of treatment have proved effective... any encouragement provided by an apparent response to a drug is in most cases nullified by an equally discouraging response when the same drug is employed on another patient."In 1952, Carton² summarized the approximately 200 reported cases of cryptococcosis with central nervous system involvement with the statement that of the 14 patients alive at the time of their respective reports only 1 could be considered cured. (This patient was well and apparently free of infection six years after treatment with sulfadiazine.³) Carton then summarized the previously reported experiences with cycloheximide (Actidione, Upjohn), including seven fairly well documented cases, by saying "the use of Actidione in the central nervous system disease has been unsatisfactory, except for