Point of care testing evaluation of lateral flow immunoassay for diagnosis of cryptococcus meningitis in HIV-positive patients at an urban hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, 2017

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) against latex agglutination (LA), India ink and culture in point-of-care diagnosis of cryptococcus meningitis (CM). We conducted cross-sectional study among HIV-positive patients with suspected CM at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, April–July 2017. Results Of 124 capillary blood and serum and 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, LFA and LA had a concurrence on serum of 94.4%, kappa (0.88), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%). LFA and LA on CSF, was 97.9%, kappa (0.96), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96%). LFA and India ink was 96.9%, kappa (0.94), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.1%). On CSF culture, concurrence was 72.7%, kappa (0.43), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (64%) and of LFA on capillary blood, serum and CSF was 100% with kappa (1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

Point of care testing evaluation of lateral flow immunoassay for diagnosing of Cryptococcus Meningitis in HIV-positive patients at an urban hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) against latex agglutination (LA), India ink and culture in point-of-care diagnosis of Cryptococcus meningitis (CM). We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV-positive patients with suspected CM at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, April-July 2017. Results: Of 124 capillary blood and serum and 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, LFA and LA had a concurrence on serum of 94.4%, kappa (0.88), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%). LFA and LA on CSF, was 97.9%, kappa (0.96), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96%). LFA and India ink was 96.9%, kappa (0.94), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.1%). On CSF culture, concurrence was 72.7%, kappa (0.43), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (64%) and of LFA on capillary blood, serum and CSF was 100% with kappa (1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 100%

Point of care testing evaluation of lateral flow immunoassay for diagnosis of Cryptococcus Meningitis in Kenya, 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) against latex agglutination (LA), India ink and culture in point-of-care diagnosis of Cryptococcus meningitis (CM). We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients with suspected CM at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, April-July 2017. Results: Of 124 capillary blood and serum and 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, the agreement between LFA and LA on serum was 94.4%, kappa (0.88), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%). LFA and LA on CSF, was 97.9%, kappa (0.96), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96%). LFA and India ink was 96.9%, kappa (0.94), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.1%). On CSF culture, the agreement was 72.7%, kappa (0.43), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (64%). The agreement of LFA on capillary blood, serum and CSF was 100% with kappa (1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 100%

Point of care testing evaluation of lateral flow immunoassay for diagnosis of Cryptococcus Meningitis in Kenya, 2017

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) against latex agglutination (LA), India ink and culture in point-of-care diagnosis of CM. We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients with suspected CM at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, April-July 2017. Results: Of 124 capillary blood and serum and 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, the agreement between LFA and LA on serum was 94.4%, kappa (0.88), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%). LFA and LA on CSF, was 97.9%, kappa (0.96), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96%). LFA and India ink was 96.9%, kappa (0.94), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.1%). On CSF culture, the agreement was 72.7%, kappa (0.43), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (64%). The agreement of LFA on capillary blood, serum and CSF was 100% with kappa (1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 100%

“Mercedes-Benz Sign” on CSF Cytology

Cryptococcus meningitis is a potentially lethal disease, and cerebrospinal fluid cytology is crucial in establishing diagnosis. We report a novel and interesting morphological sign of Cryptococcus neoformansin CSF cytology resembling the logo of Mercedes-Benz. The sign is highly suggestive of Cryptococcus infection and is a strong indicator for more specific tests and timely treatment.