In:
PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL RESEARCH, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 3 ( 2020-1-5), p. 15-21
Abstract:
Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as an important opportunistic central
nervous system (CNS) infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. It is associated with a high mortality rate. Hence early diagnosis is necessary to start appropriate
treatment. Cryptococcosis is generally found in association with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) although it has been reported to cause disease in HIV-seronegative patients
also. Objective:Prevalence of Cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary care centre.
Material & Methods: A total of 93 Cerebrospinal fluid samples from suspected cases of fungal
meningitis were received in the microbiology department of GB Pant Hospital(GIPMER) from January to June 2018. Samples were subjected to direct microscopy- wet mount, India ink
preparation and Gram stain, Cryptococcal antigen detection(Latex agglutination), and Fungal culture. In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus isolates to Fluconazole, Voriconazole, 5-
Flucytosine and Amphotericin B was performed using standard broth microdilution method. Results: Out of 93 CSF samples, 6 were positive for India ink preparation and showed gram
positive budding yeast cells by gram staining. All 6 samples were positive for the cryptococcal antigen test and fungal culture. Five were identified as C. neoformans and one C. gatti. All strains
were susceptible to Amphotericin B. Four patients were HIV reactive and succumbed to the diseaseduring treatment. Two patients were found to be coinfected with Hepatitis B virus.
Ashish Bajaj1, Bibhabati Mishra2, Poonam S Loomba2, Archana Thakur3, Abha Sharma4, Prachala G Rathod1, Madhusmita Das1, Ashna Bhasin1
1Senior Resident, 2Director Professor, 3Director Professor & Head, 4Assistant Professor,
Department of Microbiology, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi, India
ABSTRACT Cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as an important opportunistic central nervous
system (CNS) infection in immunosuppressed patients.It is associated with a high mortality rate( 〉 30%) in immunosuppressed patients especially those infected with HIV, hence early
diagnosis is necessary to start appropriate treatment. Prevalence of cryptococcal infection is increasing in developing nations including India as per some recent studies.(1)
Conclusion: Index of suspicion of Cryptococcus infection as a possible cause of meningitis must be considered in chronic meningitis cases. Microscopy (India ink preparation) may be used as a
cheap and rapid diagnostic tool.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2348-229X
,
2348-1447
DOI:
10.47799/pimr.0703.04
Language:
English
Publisher:
Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences
Publication Date:
2020
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