Using laboratory data to assess the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on reflex cryptococcal antigenaemia (CrAg) testing in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in Wuhan, China. Due to the rapid spread globally, it was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Social distancing and lockdown measures were introduced to limit transmission. These strategies could potentially impact the diagnosis and treatment of patients with advanced HIV who are susceptible to secondary infections like cryptococcal disease. In South Africa, reflexed cryptococcal antigenaemia (CrAg) testing and pre-emptive antifungal treatment are recommended preceding antiretroviral therapy initiation for patients with a CD4<100 cells/μl. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on CrAg testing in South Africa.

Methods

Specimen-le

SUBMITTER: Cassim N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10538795 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature