INCIDENCE OF CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN AND AROUND CHANDIGARH, INDIA, DURING THE PERIOD 1982-91

The incidence of cryptococcosis was evaluated in and around Chandigarh , India over a period of 10 years (1982-91). Different species of Cryp tococcus were isolated from 38 patients. Cryptococcus neoformans was t he predominant isolate (26=68%) followed by Cr. albidus (2), Cr. laure ntii (1) and not precisely identified Cryptocossus species (9=24%). Se rotyping of the 18 isolates of Cr. neoformans revealed that 13 (72%) w ere serotype A, two (11%) were serotype AD and three (17%) were seroty pe B (Cr. neoformans var. gattii). Cryptococcus species were found to produce infection in 24 patients and were possibly transient colonizer s in another 14 patients. In addition, in 11 patients no Cryptococcus species was isolated from any site but the latex agglutination test fo r antigen (Crypto-LA) was positive in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid . Response to various antifungal drugs was also studied in these patie nts.