Cryptococcosis in HIV-infected children

Between January 1994 and December 2001, 21 HIV-infected children were diagnosed as having cryptococcosis. The 8-year point prevalence of cryptococcosis among hospitalized HIV-infected patients was 2.97%. Medical records of 19 patients were available for review. Sixteen patients had cryptococcal meni...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Likasitwattanakul S., Poneprasert B., Sirisanthana V.
Format: Review
Language:English
Published: 2014
Online Access:http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-12444264245&partnerID=40&md5=c67a0f62e49ddafe1b6007c459d99763
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15916094
http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/3664
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Institution: Chiang Mai University
Language: English
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Summary:Between January 1994 and December 2001, 21 HIV-infected children were diagnosed as having cryptococcosis. The 8-year point prevalence of cryptococcosis among hospitalized HIV-infected patients was 2.97%. Medical records of 19 patients were available for review. Sixteen patients had cryptococcal meningitis. Of these patients, cryptococcal antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid and sera were positive in all tested samples. India ink preparations were positive in 94% of cases. However, the routine CSF examination was normal in 50% of cases. All patients but one received antifungal treatment. Six patients died during treatment, the others (13 patients) were successfully treated. Relapse occurred in 2 patients despite secondary prophylaxis. Two patients died later from other causes and nine were lost to follow-up. We conclude that cryptococcal meningitis was the most common clinical presentation of cryptococcosis among HIV-infected children. HIV-infected children who present with fever, with or without central nervous system signs, should have a lumbar puncture and CSF sent for cryptococcal antigen and culture.