Department of Microbiology, BJMC and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad
Cryptococcosis, also known as Busse Buschke's disease, European blastomycosis, Torula meningitis, Torulosis, is an acute, subacute or chronic infectious mycotic zoonosis of world-wide significance1. Central nervous system cryptococcosis is an important cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reactive patients. We conducted a retrospective study to describe characteristics and prevalence of Cryptococcus in CSF samples of HIV infected individuals showing meningeal signs.
This study was performed in Microbiology department of Civil hospital Ahmedabad from June 2014 to May 2015. We received 10 cerebrospinal fluid sample with suspected cryptococcocal meningitis of HIV reactive patient. The definite diagnosis of cryptococcal infection was based on clinical features of chronic meningitis with laboratory findings such as positive India ink preparation or positive fungal culture of cryptococci or demonstration of cryptococcal antigen in the CSF by latex agglutination test.
In total 10 HIV patients were suspected of meningitis in 1 year. From this 10 CSF samples, we isolated Cryptococcus from 2 sample. Around 20% HIV patients of suspected meningitis had cryptococcal infection. Characteristics of Cryptococcus in routine stains have been described
Our study had indicated around 20% Cryptococcus positive sample from the suspected cases of meningitis in HIV patients. Overall sample size is too small to comment on the exact prevalence. A high index of clinical suspicion and routine mycological surveillance is required to help an early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, as majority of patients respond well to therapy if treated early.
CSF, Cryptococcus, HIV, Fungal culture, Meningitis
