Abstract: Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of combination of itraconazole and amphotericin B to20clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and their in vitro interactions.Methods The sensitivity of combination of itraconazole and amphotericin B and their in vitro interactions were determined with 20 clinical isolates of C.neoformans by a checkerboard titration broth microdilution-based method in accord with the recommendations of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS),USA.Results When both drugs were given in combination,there was significant reduction of geometric means of MICs for itraconazole(from 0.2730 to 0.1195μg/mL)and for amphotericin B(from 0.6830 to 0.2102μg/mL).Synergistic effects were found in 35% of isolates,additive effects in 55% of isolates,and indifferent effects in 10% of isolates.Antagonistic effects were not observed.The colony formation unit(cfu)per millilitre was significantly decreased in an isolate which was treated with different concentrations of the combination of both drugs,in comparison to that with the corresponding concentrations of individual drug.Conclusion The combination of itraconazole and amphotericin B is significantly more active against C.neoformans in vitro than individual drug alone.

Key words: Cryptococcus neoformans, Microbial sensitivity tests, Itraconazole, Amphotericin B