Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV (AIDS) patients: A Mini Review

  • Manodeep Sen Professor(junior grade), Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010,India
  • Tanushri Chatterji Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
  • Vivek Singh Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
  • Pushpa Yadav DST Woman Scientist, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
  • Anupam Das Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
  • Vineeta Mittal Professor(junior grade) and Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Keywords: Cryptococcal meningitis, HIV-associated

Abstract

Meningitis is a major health problem causing inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, collectively known as the meninges. Meningitis is generally caused by Meningococcus, Streptococcus pyogenes bacterial species causing bacterial meningitis: BM), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Tubercular meningitis: TBM), Cryptococcus neoformans (fungal meningitis: CM). In recent times the CM and TBM are two most common types of chronic infectious meningitis. In adults, HIV-associated Cryptococcal meningitis has been reported in many areas of the world having high HIV seroprevalence i.e. in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cryptococcal meningitis is the fourth most commonly recognized cause of life-threatening infection among AIDS patients.Despite availability of antiretroviral therapy, the rise in rate of infections due to HIV/AIDS, suppress the cell mediated immune system and subjects are predisposed for opportunistic infections. Additionally, In AIDS patients, it is characterized by lack of meningeal signs and diminished inflammatory response. Diagnosis of CM is generally based on the collection of CSF sample and/or blood samples. Initially the CSF samples are processed for ‘gold standard’ culture methods, microscopy and India ink preparation. Serologically, Latex agglutination test (LAT) is the most commonly used for detection of Cryptococcal capsular antigen. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is another serological tool for detection of capsular polysaccharide antigens of C. neoformans in CSF.DOI: 10.21276/AABS.2017.1344   

Author Biographies

Manodeep Sen, Professor(junior grade), Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010,India
Professor(junior grade), Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010,India
Tanushri Chatterji, Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Vivek Singh, Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Research Scholar, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Pushpa Yadav, DST Woman Scientist, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
DST Woman Scientist, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Anupam Das, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Vineeta Mittal, Professor(junior grade) and Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India
Professor(junior grade) and Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. Lucknow- 226010, India

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Published
2017-02-28
Issue
Vol 4 No 1 (2017)
Section
Review Articles

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