Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cryptococcosis is a devastating opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, primarily in people living with HIV/AIDS. This study evaluated a protocol for the early diagnosis of meningitis due to C. neoformans, utilizing established molecular techniques from serum and CSF samples.

Methods

The 18S and 5.8S (rDNA-ITS) sequence-specific nested PCR assays were compared with direct India ink staining and the latex agglutination test for detection of C. neoformans in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 49 Brazilian suspected meningitis patients. Results were validated with samples obtained from 10 patients negative for cryptococcosis and HIV, and by analysis of standard C. neoformans strains.

Principal findings

The 5.8S DNA-ITS PCR was more sens

SUBMITTER: Dantas KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10019727 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature