Salvage combination antifungal therapy for acute invasive aspergillosis may improve outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:A meta-analysis was performed to compare mold-active triazoles or lipid amphotericin B plus an echinocandin to non-echinocandin monotherapy for acute invasive aspergillosis (IA). METHODS:We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases through May 2013 unrestricted by language. We included observational and experimental studies wherein patients with proven or probable IA by EORTC/MSG criteria underwent our comparative intervention. PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were followed and quality was assessed using the Jadad and Newcastle-Ottawa criteria. Meta-regression with fixed and random effects and sensitivity analyses were performed. The primary study outcome measure was 12-week overall mortality. The secondary outcome assessed was complete and partial response. RESULTS:Only observational studies of primary 12-week survival showed heterogeneity (I(2)=48.96%, p=0.05). For salvage IA therapy, fixed effects models demonstrated improved 12-week survival (Peto odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-3.01) and success (Peto OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.21-3.91) of combination therapy. Significance remained after applying random effects as a sensitivity analysis (12-week survival: Peto OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.04-3.46, and unchanged value for success). Restriction to high quality studies and including echinocandins as the comparator for refractory IA revealed an adjusted OR of 1.72 (95% CI 0.96-3.09; p=0.07) for global success, while the survival endpoint remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS:Combination antifungals for IA demonstrate improved outcomes over monotherapy in the salvage setting. Clinicians should consider this approach in certain situations.

SUBMITTER: Panackal AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4237720 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature