The clinical laboratory evaluation of cryptococcal infections in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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The clinical laboratory evaluation of cryptococcal infections in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 1987 Aug;7(4):249-54. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/88053728
Gal AA; Evans S; Meyer PR; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Los Angeles; County--University of Southern California School of Medicine.

Abstract: The medical and laboratory records were reviewed in 37 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcal infections. In 24 patients with the presentation of cryptococcal meningitis, the initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture was positive. The initial India ink mount demonstrated organisms in 79% of culture positive CSF specimens. After therapy the subsequent India ink mounts demonstrated 84% sensitivity and 53% specificity with respect to culture outcome. Cultures of blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and brain were more likely to be positive than cultures from other sites. The initial blood cultures were positive in eight of eight patients at presentation of cryptococcal meningitis. When the initial CSF titer was greater than 1:2, the corresponding CSF culture was always positive. A negative culture during therapy did not necessarily indicate eradication of infection. The initial cerebrospinal fluid and serum cryptococcal antigen titers varied significantly and could not be correlated with survival. In three instances when the CSF cryptococcal antigen titers and cultures were negative, a positive serum cryptococcal antigen greater than 1:8 suggested disseminated infection.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*MICROBIOLOGY Antigens, Fungal/METABOLISM Cerebrospinal Fluid/MICROBIOLOGY Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins/ANALYSIS Cryptococcosis/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY Glucose/CEREBROSPINAL FLUID Human Lung/MICROBIOLOGY Male JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/KWDmicrobiologyantigens,fungal/metabolismcerebrospinalfluid/microbiologycerebrospinalfluidproteins/analysiscryptococcosis/cerebrospinalfluid/KWDcomplications/immunologyglucose/cerebrospinalfluidhumanlung/microbiologymalejournalarticle
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M8830393

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