Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans Capsular Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients in the State of Para in the North of Brazil

Title:Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans Capsular Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients in the State of Para in the North of Brazil

Volume: 11 Issue: 8

Author(s): Maurimelia M. da Costa, Lucimar di Paula Madeira, Rosimar N.M. Feitosa, Marluísa de Oliveira G. Ishak, Ricardo Ishak, Silvia H.M. da Silva and Antonio C.R. Vallinoto

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cryptococcus neoformans, HIV-1/AIDS, latex agglutination test.

Abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans is an important cause of morbidity in HIV-infected patients worldwide. In the northern region of Brazil, the prevalence of this infection is poorly known due to a lack of systematic investigations. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of cryptococcosis by detecting antigenaemia in HIV-infected patients in the State of Pará, Brazil. A latex Cryptococcus antigen detection kit was used to test 418 serum samples from HIV-infected patients seen at two Infectious Disease Specialized Units in the State of Pará. The C. neoformans antigenaemia prevalence was 2.6%, and titres reached 1:8. The cases occurred mainly in asymptomatic females, and 45% presented CD4⁺ T lymphocyte counts of fewer than 200 cells/mm³. These results show the importance of early C. neoformans antigenaemia detection to prevent fungal disease.

Cite this article as:

Costa M. da Maurimelia, Madeira di Paula Lucimar, Feitosa N.M. Rosimar, Ishak de Oliveira G. Marluísa, Ishak Ricardo, Silva H.M. da Silvia and Vallinoto C.R. Antonio, Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans Capsular Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients in the State of Para in the North of Brazil, Current HIV Research 2013; 11 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570162X12666140311125420