title: Detection of Cryptococcus neoformans capsular antigen in HIV-infected patients in the state of Para in the north of Brazil.
abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans is an important cause of morbidity in HIV-infected patients worldwide. In the northern region of Brazil, the prevalence of this infection is poorly known due to a lack of systematic investigations. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of cryptococcosis by detecting antigenaemia in HIV-infected patients in the State of Para, Brazil. A latex Cryptococcus antigen detection kit was used to test 418 serum samples from HIV-infected patients seen at two Infectious Disease Specialized Units in the State of Para. The C. neoformans antigenaemia prevalence was 2.6%, and titres reached 1:8. The cases occurred mainly in asymptomatic females, and 45% presented CD4(+) T lymphocyte counts of fewer than 200 cells/mm(3). These results show the importance of early C. neoformans antigenaemia detection to prevent fungal disease.
authors.forename: Maurimelia M da
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Lucimar di Paula
authors.initials: Ld
authors.lastname: Madeira
authors.forename: Rosimar N M
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.forename: Marluísa de Oliveira G
authors.initials: Mde O
authors.lastname: Ishak
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ishak
authors.forename: Silvia H M da
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Para, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Laboratorio de Virologia, Rua Augusto Correa no. 1, 66.075-910, Belem, Para, Brazil. vallinoto@ufpa.br.
authors.forename: Antonio C R
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vallinoto
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal