scholarly journals Symptomatic Cryptococcal Meningitis with Negative Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cryptococcal Antigen Tests

2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 13 ◽  
pp. 861-865
Author(s):  
Vivien Nanfuka ◽  
Mkhoi L Mkhoi ◽  
Jane Gakuru ◽  
Richard Kwizera ◽  
Joseph Baruch Baluku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
Antigen Tests

scholarly journals Cryptococcal meningitis in apparently immunocompetent patients: association with idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Shribman ◽  
Alastair Noyce ◽  
Sharmilee Gnanapavan ◽  
Jonathan Lambourne ◽  
Thomas Harrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
Management Problems ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
Lymphocytic Meningitis ◽  
Immunocompetent Patients ◽  
Hiv Negative ◽  
New Onset

We present two cases of cryptococcal meningitis in people subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia. Both presented with new onset headaches without sinister features and were sent home on multiple occasions from emergency departments. Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-negative patients poses major diagnostic and management problems; the associated mortality is 9%–27%. We suggest performing blood and cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal antigen tests in all people with lymphocytic meningitis.

scholarly journals LATERAL FLOW ASSAY FOR CRYPTOCOCCAL ANTIGEN: AN IMPORTANT ADVANCE TO IMPROVE THE CONTINUUM OF HIV CARE AND REDUCE CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS-RELATED MORTALITY

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (suppl 19) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose E. VIDAL ◽  
David R. BOULWARE
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Lateral Flow Assay ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Analytical Sensitivity ◽  
Symptomatic Infection ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen

SUMMARYAIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis continues to cause a substantial burden of death in low and middle income countries. The diagnostic use for detection of cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen (CrAg) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid by latex agglutination test (CrAg-latex) or enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) has been available for over decades. Better diagnostics in asymptomatic and symptomatic phases of cryptococcosis are key components to reduce mortality. Recently, the cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay (CrAg LFA) was included in the armamentarium for diagnosis. Unlike the other tests, the CrAg LFA is a dipstick immunochromatographic assay, in a format similar to the home pregnancy test, and requires little or no lab infrastructure. This test meets all of the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User friendly, Rapid/robust, Equipment-free, and Delivered). CrAg LFA in serum, plasma, whole blood, or cerebrospinal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of disease caused by Cryptococcusspecies. The CrAg LFA has better analytical sensitivity for C. gattii than CrAg-latex or EIA. Prevention of cryptococcal disease is new application of CrAg LFA via screening of blood for subclinical infection in asymptomatic HIV-infected persons with CD4 counts < 100 cells/mL who are not receiving effective antiretroviral therapy. CrAg screening of leftover plasma specimens after CD4 testing can identify persons with asymptomatic infection who urgently require pre-emptive fluconazole, who will otherwise progress to symptomatic infection and/or die.

scholarly journals Point-of-Care Diagnosis and Prognostication of Cryptococcal Meningitis With the Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay on Cerebrospinal Fluid

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taseera Kabanda ◽  
Mark J. Siedner ◽  
Jeffrey D. Klausner ◽  
Conrad Muzoora ◽  
David R. Boulware
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
Lateral Flow Assay ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen

scholarly journals Cryptococcal Antigen in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid for Detecting Cryptococcal Meningitis in Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvis Temfack ◽  
Jean Joel Bigna Rim ◽  
Rene Spijker ◽  
Angela Loyse ◽  
Tom Chiller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Antifungal Therapy ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Fungal Culture ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) detection could direct the timely initiation of antifungal therapy. We searched MEDLINE and Embase for studies where CrAg detection in serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF fungal culture were done on adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who had suspected cryptococcal meningitis (CM). With Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2), we evaluated the risk of bias in 11 included studies with 3600 participants, and used a random-effects meta-analysis to obtain summary sensitivity and specificity of serum and CSF CrAg, as well as agreement between CSF CrAg and CSF culture. Summary sensitivity and specificity of serum CrAg were 99.7% (97.4–100) and 94.1% (88.3–98.1), respectively, and summary sensitivity and specificity of CSF CrAg were 98.8% (96.2–99.6) and 99.3% (96.7–99.9), respectively. Agreement between CSF CrAg and CSF culture was 98% (97–99). In adults living with HIV who have CM symptoms, serum CrAg negativity may rule out CM, while positivity should prompt induction antifungal therapy if lumbar puncture is not feasible. In a first episode of CM, CSF CrAg positivity is diagnostic.

Evaluation of Clinical Profile, Diagnostic Tests, And Prognosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV Infected Patients in Western India

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Kumar ◽  
Suresh Bishnoi ◽  
Durga Shankar Meena ◽  
Gopal Krishana Bohra ◽  
Naresh Midha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Clinical Profile ◽  
Western India ◽  
Antigen Test ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Csf Examination

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis is a dreaded complication in HIV infected patients. It was associated with high mortality and morbidity before the advent of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy. A study was planned in our institute to evaluate the clinical profile, laboratory findings, and prognostic factors for survival in these patients. Settings and Design: A prospective hospital-based observational study, conducted in the Department of Medicine at a tertiary care centre in western Rajasthan. Method and Material: HIV infected patients presenting with clinical features of meningitis, and positive CSF culture for Cryptococcus were included in our study. All cases underwent detailed clinical history, physical examinations and relevant laboratory investigations including CD4 count and CSF examination. Results: 48 HIV infected cryptococcal meningitis patients were analysed, and the most common presenting clinical features were headache (85.42%), and fever (72.92%), followed by neck stiffness (62.50%). CSF examination was also done for Cryptococcal Antigen test which was reactive in all cases (100%), and India ink staining was positive in 43 cases (89.58%). Significant fatal outcome was associated with patients presenting with altered sensorium, loss of consciousness, cranial nerve palsy and CD4 cell count of less than 100. Similarly, on laboratory and imaging diagnosis, cryptococcal antigen test (>3+reactive), fundus examination (papilloedema) and abnormal CT/MRI brain imaging were associated with poor survival. Conclusion: Cryptococcal meningitis is a potentially lethal infection in immunocompromised individuals and should be diagnosed early with high clinical suspicion as around 10% of the cases may not be detected on India ink staining and a large proportion (75%) of cases may have normal imaging at initial evaluation. Early diagnosis, watchful eye on prognostic factors and treatment is vital to improve outcome in these patients.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Association with Follow-up risk of Cryptococcal Meningitis and Mortality among HIV Infected Patients in North West India – A Prospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Bhati ◽  
Pramendra Sirohi ◽  
Bharat Sejoo ◽  
Deepak Kumar ◽  
Gopal K Bohra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cryptococcal Antigen ◽  
North West ◽  
Cryptococcal Disease ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome

Objective: Cryptococcal meningitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected individuals. In the era of universal antiretroviral therapy incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) related cryptococcal meningitis has increased. Detection of serum cryptococcal antigen in asymptomatic PLHIV (People Living With HIV) and pre-emptive treatment with fluconazole can decrease the burden of cryptococcal disease. We conducted this study to find the prevalence of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia in India and its correlation with mortality in PLHIV. Method and material: This was a prospective observational study. HIV infected ART naïve patients with age of ≥ 18 years who had CD4 counts ≤ 100 /µL were included and serum cryptococcal antigen test was done. These patients were followed for six months to look for the development of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality. Results: A total of 116 patients were analysed. Asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia was detected in 5.17% patients and it correlated with increased risk of cryptococcal meningitis and mortality on follow-up in PLHIV. Conclusion: Serum cryptococcal positivity is correlated with increased risk of Cryptococcal meningitis and mortality in PLHIV. We recommend the screening of asymptomatic PLHIV with CD4 ≤ 100/µL for serum cryptococcal antigen, so that pre-emptive treatment can be initiated to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Cerebrospinal fluid microscopy as an index for predicting the prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis patients with and without HIV

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (17) ◽  
pp. 1645-1652
Author(s):  
Keming Zhang ◽  
Hang Li ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Wanqing Liao ◽  
Liyan Ling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Fungal Burden ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Patient Prognosis ◽  
Worse Prognosis ◽  
Fluid Test

Aim: To evaluate the clinical data and quantitative cerebrospinal fluid for associations with the outcome of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients in the hospital. Patients & methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 139 CM patients comprising 108 without HIV and 31 with HIV admitted in a Jiang Xi hospital. Resμlts: We found that CM patients with the high fungal burden (≥10 yeasts/μl) (26.3%) had a worse prognosis than those with the low fungal burden (<10 yeasts/μl). (4.9%) (p = 0.0007 <0.05). Conclusion: In CM patients, a fungal burden of 10 yeasts/μl in the first cerebrospinal fluid test may be used as an indicator of patient prognosis, and we can personalize patients’ treatment based on the fungal burden to improve prognosis.

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