A Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Cryptococcal Meningitis

Abstract

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as an important opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. It is associated with a high mortality rate. Hence early diagnosis is necessary to start appropriate treatment. Cryptococcosis is generally found in association with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) although it has been reported to cause disease in HIV-seronegative patients also.Objective: Prevalence of Cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary care center.Material & Methods: A total of 93 Cerebrospinal fluid samples from suspected cases of fungal meningitis were received in the microbiology department of GB Pant Hospital(GIPMER) from January to June 2018. Samples were subjected to direct microscopy- wet mount, India ink preparation and Gram stain, Cryptococcal antigen detection(Latex agglutination), and Fungal culture. In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus isolates to Fluconazole, Voriconazole, 5Flucytosine and Amphotericin B was performed using standard broth microdilution method.Results: Out of 93 CSF samples, 6 were positive for India ink preparation and showed gram positive budding yeast cells by gram staining. All 6 samples were positive for the cryptococcal antigen test and fungal culture. Five were identified as C. neoformans and one C. gatti. All strains were susceptible to Amphotericin B. Four patients were HIV reactive and succumbed to the diseaseduring treatment. Two patients were found to be coinfected with Hepatitis B virus.Conclusion: Index of suspicion of Cryptococcus infection as a possible cause of meningitis must be considered in chronic meningitis cases. Microscopy (India ink preparation) may be used as a cheap and rapid diagnostic tool.