A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of fluconazole as early empiric treatment of coccidioidomycosis pneumonia (Valley Fever) in adults presenting with community-acquired pneumonia in endemic areas (FLEET-Valley Fever).

Messina, Julia A

Maziarz, Eileen K

Galgiani, John

Truong, Jonathan T

Htoo, Aung K

Heidari, Arash

Johnson, Royce H

Narang, Aneesh T

Donovan, Fariba M

Ewell, Marion

Catanzaro, Antonino

Thompson, George R

Ampel, Neil M

Perfect, John R

Naggie, Susanna

Walter, Emmanuel B

2021-11-16T02:35:08Z

2021-11-16T02:35:08Z

2021-12

2021-11-16T02:35:06Z

Introduction: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic in the southwestern United States (US). Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis (PPC) is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in this region, although its diagnosis is often delayed, leading to lag in antifungal treatment and subsequent morbidity. The impact of early empiric antifungal therapy as part of treatment for CAP in endemic areas on clinical outcomes is unknown. Methods: Phase IV randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in individuals aged 18 years or older with CAP who met all eligibility criteria in Coccidioides endemic regions in the US. Eligible participants with CAP were randomized to receive either fluconazole (400 mg daily) or matching placebo for 42 days and were subsequently monitored for clinical resolution of their illness. Objectives: The primary objective was to assess the clinical response of early empiric antifungal therapy with fluconazole through Day 22 in subjects with PPC who were adherent to the study intervention. Secondary objectives included: assessments of the impact of early empiric antifungal therapy with fluconazole through Day 22 and 43 in subjects with PPC regardless of adherence, comparisons of the clinical response and its individual components over time by treatment group in subjects with PPC, assessments of days lost from work or school, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. Discussion: This trial was halted early due to slow enrollment (72 participants in one year, 33 received fluconazole and 39 received placebo). Of those enrolled, eight (11%) met the study definition of PPC. The study design and challenges are discussed.

S2451-8654(21)00151-4

2451-8654

2451-8654

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/23985

eng

Elsevier BV

Contemp Clin Trials Commun

10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100851

Coccidioidomycosis

Community-acquired pneumonia

Valley fever

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of fluconazole as early empiric treatment of coccidioidomycosis pneumonia (Valley Fever) in adults presenting with community-acquired pneumonia in endemic areas (FLEET-Valley Fever).

Journal article

Messina, Julia A|0000-0001-6411-198X

Maziarz, Eileen K|0000-0001-7779-9605

Perfect, John R|0000-0002-6606-9460|0000-0003-3465-5518

Naggie, Susanna|0000-0001-7721-6975

100851

School of Medicine

Medicine, Infectious Diseases

Duke

Medicine

Clinical Science Departments

Published online

24