Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast which causes life-threatening infections in up to 40% of AIDS patients in Africa. To investigate the prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV infected patients in Yaounde. In a hospital-based surveillance study of cryptococcosis, the colonization of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), urine and blood sample by C. neoformans was evaluated by direct microscopic examination and culture techniques. Data obtained were then analyzed based on the medical records of the patients. Among the 105 patients sampled for the study, the CD4 counts varied between 31 and 304 lymphocytes/mm(3). Direct specimens examination (n= 294) in India ink preparations revealed polysaccharide capsule in 25 (8.5%) of the samples. Upon culture, 29 (9.86 %) samples were positive of C. neoformans (23 from the CSFs and 6 from the urine). All the positive samples were obtained from patients who were not on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Meningo-encephalitis symptoms were observed in 13 patients with C. neoformans in CSFs. This study reveals that cryptococcosis is rife in AIDS patients in Yaounde. Therefore, to minimize the death toll, we recommend that its routine check should be integrated in the management of HIV/AIDS patients.
Highlights
The HIV pandemic has greatly contributed to the emergence of opportunistic fungal pathogens and increased incidence of infections over the last two decades
This study reveals that cryptococcosis is rife in Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients in Yaounde
In this study we report the prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans in three specimen types (CSF, urine and blood) obtained from HIV-infected patients at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon
Summary
The HIV pandemic has greatly contributed to the emergence of opportunistic fungal pathogens and increased incidence of infections over the last two decades. Cryptococcosis is a cosmopolitan but rare opportunistic mycosis, caused by an encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. This fungus causes lifethreatening infections in approximately 7-15% of patients with HIV/AIDS around the world, and up to 40% in Africa[1]. Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast which causes life-threatening infections in up to 40% of AIDS patients in Africa. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV infected patients in Yaounde. Methods: In a hospital-based surveillance study of cryptococcosis, the colonization of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), urine and blood sample by C. neoformans was evaluated by direct microscopic examination and culture techniques. Meningo-encephalitis symptoms were observed in 13 patients with C. neoformans in CSFs. Conclusion: This study reveals that cryptococcosis is rife in AIDS patients in Yaounde.
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