Efficacy of induction regimens for cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the most fatal adult in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There no conclusive evidence for superiority of 1-week amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmphB) + flucytosine (5-FC) regimen over other antifungals management HIV CM (HIV–CM patients). We aimed to evaluate differences efficacy and tolerability different antifungal agents HIV–CM by conducting a current network meta-analysis NMA. Overall, 19 randomized controlled trials were included 2642 participants. A indicated possibly lower early mortality rate, namely, AmphB 5-FC Azole (OR = 1.1E?12, 95% CIs 1.3E?41 0.06) comparing 5-FC. The NMA provides that are superior all investigated treatments induction patients.