CRYPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM - AN ANALYSIS OF PREDISPOSING FACTORS, LABORATORY FINDINGS AND OUTCOME IN PATIENTS FROM SOUTH-INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIV-INFECTION

The incidence of cryptococcosis in patients with AIDS is significant, Predisposing factors, laboratory findings and outcome were assessed in 60 patients with cryptococcal infections of the central nervous syste m over a 17.5-year period (Jan, 1978-June 1995). Predisposing factors for cryptococcal infection were identified in 36 patients, with HIV in fection being the commonest (18), Cryptococcal cultures were positive in all patients, India ink staining was positive in 48 patients and cr yptococcal antigen was detected in 35 of 36 patients tested, Compariso n of clinical and laboratory parameters between HIV-positive and HIV-n egative patients showed that CSF cell response was poorer, culture of cryptococci from non-neural sites mas more frequent and mortality was higher in the HIV-positive group, Although not statistically significa nt, concurrent systemic infections, especially tuberculosis, were more frequent in the HIV-positive group.