Cryptococcosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Cryptococcosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Ann Intern Med. 1985 Oct;103(4):533-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/85305196
Kovacs JA; Kovacs AA; Polis M; Wright WC; Gill VJ; Tuazon CU; Gelmann EP; Lane HC; Longfield R; Overturf G; et al

Abstract: The clinical course and response to therapy of 27 patients with cryptococcosis and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were reviewed. Cryptococcosis was the initial manifestation of the syndrome in 7 patients, and the initial opportunistic infection in an additional 7. Meningitis was the commonest clinical feature (18 patients). Blood cultures and serum cryptococcal antigen were frequently positive. In patients with meningitis, leukocyte count, protein level, and glucose level in cerebrospinal fluid were frequently normal; cerebrospinal fluid India ink test (82%), culture (100%), and cryptococcal antigen (100%) were usually positive. Only 10 of 24 patients had no evidence of clinical activity of cryptococcal infection after completion of therapy; 6 of these 10 had relapses shown by clinical findings or at autopsy. Standard courses of amphotericin B alone or combined with flucytosine were ineffective. Cryptococcosis in patients with the syndrome is a debilitating disease that does not respond to conventional therapy; earlier diagnosis or long-term suppressive therapy may improve the prognosis.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS Amphotericin B/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE Antibodies, Fungal/ANALYSIS Antigens, Fungal/ANALYSIS Cryptococcosis/DIAGNOSIS/DRUG THERAPY/*ETIOLOGY Cryptococcus neoformans/ISOLATION & PURIF Drug Therapy, Combination Encephalitis/ETIOLOGY Flucytosine/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE Human Meningitis/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID/ETIOLOGY Retrospective Studies Serodiagnosis JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDcomplicationsamphotericinb/adverseeffects/therapeuticuseantibodies,fungal/analysisantigens,fungal/analysiscryptococcosis/diagnosis/drugtherapy/KWDetiologycryptococcusneoformans/isolation&purifdrugtherapy,combinationencephalitis/etiologyflucytosine/administration&dosagehumanmeningitis/cerebrospinalfluid/etiologyretrospectivestudiesserodiagnosisjournalarticle
851230
M85C0133

Copyright © 1985 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1985. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1985. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .