Prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV-infected patients in Yaounde, Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Cryptococcus neoformans is encapsulated yeast which causes life-threatening infections in up to 40% of AIDS patients in Africa.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of cryptococcosis among HIV infected patients in Yaounde.


METHODS
In a hospital-based surveillance study of cryptococcosis, the colonization of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), urine and blood sample by C. neoformans was evaluated by direct microscopic examination and culture techniques. Data obtained were then analyzed based on the medical records of the patients.


RESULTS
Among the 105 patients sampled for the study, the CD4 counts varied between 31 and 304 lymphocytes/mm(3). Direct specimens examination (n= 294) in India ink preparations revealed polysaccharide capsule in 25 (8.5%) of the samples. Upon culture, 29 (9.86 %) samples were positive of C. neoformans (23 from the CSFs and 6 from the urine). All the positive samples were obtained from patients who were not on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Meningo-encephalitis symptoms were observed in 13 patients with C. neoformans in CSFs.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals that cryptococcosis is rife in AIDS patients in Yaounde. Therefore, to minimize the death toll, we recommend that its routine check should be integrated in the management of HIV/AIDS patients.
Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon. jpdzoyem@yahoo.fr
J P
JP
Dzoyem
F A
FA
Kechia
G P
GP
Ngaba
P K
PK
Lunga
P J
PJ
Lohoue
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult