title: Central Nervous System Cryptococcosis among a Cohort of HIV Infected Patients from a University Hospital of North India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous encapsulated yeast that causes significant infections which range from asymptomatic pulmonary colonization to the life threatening meningoencephalitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcal meningitis is one of the AIDS-defining illnesses. Recent data have indicated that, the incidence of the cryptococcal infection is high in developing countries like India. We conducted this study to find out the incidence of cryptococcosis in this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from known HIV positive cases that had a clinical diagnosis of meningitis and they were processed by standard microbiological procedures. The cryptococcal isolates were identified by microscopy, their cultural characteristics, sugar assimilation and by the hydrolysis of urea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis was 12.9%. All the strains were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cryptococcal infection should be suspected in all cases of meningitis, especially among HIV infected persons. An early diagnosis and treatment may alter the prognosis of these patients and hence, an examination of the CSF for cryptococcosis should be considered in all the HIV infected persons who have the symptoms of meningitis.
authors.affiliation: Service Senior Resident,  Department of Microbiology, IMS, BHU ,  Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: Chaitanya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nigam
authors.forename: Rupam
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gahlot
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chakravarty
authors.forename: Ragini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tilak