Peripheral eosinophilia in the course of treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

Summary:  In twelve consecutive patients suffering from cryptococcal meningitis the eosinophilia in peripheral blood was studied throughout the course of treatment with amphotericin B and 5‐fluorocytosine. A significant rise of the percentage of blood eosinophils could be observed in eight patients. Since amphotericin B has been shown to enhance contact sensitivity in mice and to have an activation potential on cells (lymphocytes) this might be a possible explanation for the rise in eosinophilia when this drug is administered. One could, however, submit an alternative explanatory hypothesis: namely, that this eosinophilia possibly reflects an activation of an underyling parasitic infection through the antifungal therapy.