title: [Hypogammaglobulinemia as risk factor for Cryptococcus neoformans infection: report of 2 cases].
abstract: Two HIV-seronegative patients with cryptococcal disease refractory to conventional antifungal therapy were submitted to an evaluation of the immune system. Hypogammaglobulinemia was found in both and associated with abnormal function of cell-mediated immunity. Hypogammaglobulinemia is considered as a possible predisposing factor for cryptococcal infection. The importance of the antibodies on the control of Cryptococcus neoformans infection is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: R  da J
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Louzada
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D015984:Causality; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors