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Prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV-infected patients in Yaounde, Cameroon.
- Source :
-
African health sciences [Afr Health Sci] 2012 Jun; Vol. 12 (2), pp. 129-33. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background: Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast which causes life-threatening infections in up to 40% of AIDS patients in Africa.<br />Objective: To investigate the prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV infected patients in Yaounde.<br />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. Data obtained were then analyzed based on the medical records of the patients.<br />Results: 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.<br />Conclusion: 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.
- Subjects :
- AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections diagnosis
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections microbiology
Adult
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
Cameroon epidemiology
Cerebrospinal Fluid microbiology
Cryptococcosis complications
Cryptococcosis diagnosis
Cryptococcosis microbiology
Female
HIV Infections complications
Hospitals
Humans
Male
Meningitis, Cryptococcal diagnosis
Meningitis, Cryptococcal microbiology
Microscopy
Middle Aged
Population Surveillance
Prevalence
Urine microbiology
Young Adult
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections epidemiology
Cryptococcosis epidemiology
Cryptococcus neoformans isolation & purification
HIV Infections epidemiology
Meningitis, Cryptococcal epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1729-0503
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- African health sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23056017
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v12i2.8