High-Dose Fluconazole for the Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV-Infected Individuals

Inclusion Criteria - Step 1 * CM documented either by a positive CSF cryptococcal culture, a positive CSF India ink preparation, or a positive CSF cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination test within 7 days prior to entry. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol. * CSF collection for quantitative cryptococcal culture within 72 hours prior to study entry or planned to be performed at study entry * HIV-1 infection documented by any licensed rapid HIV test or HIV enzyme or chemiluminescence immunoassay (E/CIA) test kit at any time prior to study entry and confirmed by or within 10 days after study entry by a licensed Western blot or a second antibody test by a method other than the initial rapid HIV and/or E/CIA, by HIV-1 antigen, or by plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol. * Ability to take oral medications. NOTE: Administration of fluconazole tablets via nasogastric tube is permitted. * For patients with a co-morbid complication of HIV, including opportunistic infections, reasonable certainty that the site investigator will be able to perform CSF sampling and manage expected study drug toxicities. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol. * For female participants of reproductive potential (defined as girls who have reached menarche or women who have not been post-menopausal for at least 24 consecutive months \[i.e., who have had menses within the preceding 24 months, or hav…