In these studies, we compare the efficacy of two new azole antifungals with fluconazole in a murine model of cryptococcal meningitis. Mice were infected intracranially. Beginning one day later, groups of 7-10 mice were treated through to day 10 orally with UR-9751 or UR-9746 at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1) or fluconazole at 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1). At 10 mg kg(-1) day(-1), all three drugs prolonged survival over controls, but at 1 mg kg(-1) day(-1) only UR-9746 prolonged survival. Tissue counts were more varied on mice sacrificed 8 days after infection. In general, both UR drugs were equal or more potent than fluconazole, and UR-9751 was more effective than UR-9746.