Thus, the magnitude of the disease is worth a concern. Cryptococcosis is the second most common fungal infection after candidiasis in HIV-patients and cryptococcal meningitis is the fourth most commonly recognised cause of life-threatening infection among AIDS patients (3). Recent study by Rajasingham R et al., estimated an average global cryptococcal antigenemia prevalence of 6.0% among people with a CD4+ cell count of less than 100 cells per µL and the disease was responsible for 15% of AIDS-related deaths (2). Over the past decade, the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis has increased in both immuno-compromised and immuno-competent patients. Its key virulence factors include the polysaccharide capsule and cell wall associated melanin (1). neoformans, often found in soil, is a free-living environmental microbe that does not require a host to reproduce or survive. : Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus antigen, Human immunodeficiency virus, Incidence, India inkĬryptococcal meningitis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, is an opportunistic fungal infection that mainly affects HIV, immunocompromised patients. The antigen detection test showed the sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97.12%, respectively.Ĭonclusion: Rapid and early diagnosis of cryptococcal infection by detection of the fungal antigen in CSF of patients by latex agglutination when compared to culture and India ink can alter the course of management of cryptococcal meningitis patients. Considering culture as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of India ink was observed to be 53.33% and 100% respectively. Incidence of cryptococcal meningitis was observed to be 14.70% in the study population. Of these, 30 (14.70%) cases were culture positive, 35 (17.15%) were positive for cryptococcal antigen and 16 (7.84%) patients were found to be positive by India ink preparation. The male: female ratio was observed to be 10:1. Results: Mean age of the patients was 32.45 years. The samples were cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA), and analysed using India ink preparation and cryptococcal antigen detection by the rapid Latex Agglutination assay. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from HIV-positive patients (aged >18 years) showing signs and symptoms of meningitis were collected. In recent years, the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis has increased in both the HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients therefore there is a need for development of efficient methods for early diagnosis and treatment to reduce mortality and morbidity.Īim: To determine the incidence of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients and to compare the results of latex agglutination test and India ink preparation with fungal culture examination. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.Į-mail: Cryptococcal meningitis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal infection that affects immunocompromised Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. Professor and Consultant, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.ĭepartment of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.ĥ. Junior Resident, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.Ĥ.

Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.ģ. Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, PGIMER and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India.Ģ. Shiwangi Sharma, Arvind Achra, Renu Kumari, Anuradha, Nandini Duggalġ. Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV Patients from a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Cryptococcus neoformans india ink