DETECTION RATE OF CRYPTOCOCCUS-NEOFORMANS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID SPECIMENS AT KENYATTA-NATIONAL-HOSPITAL, NAIROBI

A ten-year retrospective review of laboratory detection of Cryptococcu s neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid was undertaken using past laborato ry and clinical records at Kenyatta National Hospital, A total of 1462 India-ink tests were carried out, 76(5.2%) of these tested positive f or C. neoformans. An increasing number of clinical requests for India- ink test mirrored by increasing number of patients with immunological disorders were noted over the study period although no obvious trend e merged in the detection pattern of C. neoformans. The use of a more se nsitive test such as the latex agglutination technique is suggested.