Role of itraconazole in the management of aspergillosis in treated patients of pulmonary tuberculosis

Sputum/ bronchial washings of 445 patients with residual tubercular cavitation were subjected to smear and culture examination to isolate fungi. Patients suffering from aspergillosis were put on oral itraconazole daily for 6 months and monitored clinicoradiologically during and after therapy. About half of the patients of aspergilloma and 85% of the patients of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis improved by 3 months of therapy. Nausea and headache observed during therapy in 8 and 4 patients respectively were mild and self limiting. Relapses were seen in 8 out of the 37 patients who had completed 6 months therapy and available for follow-up.