title: [Value of three capsular antigen detection methods in diagnosis and efficacy assessment in patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of different kinds of cryptococcal capsular antigen detection methods in diagnosis and efficacy assessment in the patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 2012 to March 2015, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from 57 patients withcentral nervous system infection who hospitalized in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. The cryptococcal capsular antigen in CSF was detected by Lateral flow assay (LFA), Latex agglutination test(LA) and Enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Follow-up study was achieved in 10 patients by detecting the samples of their CSF using LA and EIA, so that the dynamic changes of the antigen level could be obtained and observed during the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity of LFA and LA were both 95%, meanwhile the specificity were both 100%; the sensitivity and specificity of EIA were both 100%. The level of cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen decreased gradually with patients recovering.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All the three different methods could beof great importance for the early diagnosis of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. LFA should be recommended for screening the disease. Follow-up study by detecting the antigen level of CSF is valued in assessing the treatment efficacy of cryptococcal diseases.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Shujuan
authors: S
authors: Ji
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Linghong
authors: L
authors: Ni
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Junli
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
authors: Zhihui
authors: Z
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Email: yvys119@163.com.
authors: Yunsong
authors: Y
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D003454:Cryptococcus; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008590:Meningoencephalitis; D011134:Polysaccharides
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D011134:Polysaccharides; C014426:cryptococcal polysaccharide