European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CRYPTOCOCCOSIS AMONG HIV PATIENTS

Zeinab Hassan Dafa Elseed*, Bashir Mubarak Elbashir, Reem Abdel-Rahaman Osman, Hala Ahmed Adam, Musa Abdalla Ali and Sara Abdalla Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Background: HIV and cryptococcal meningitis co-infection is a world-wise serious condition caused by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, it is a major health problem in most developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa causing neurological disease. Objectives: To investigate Cryptococcosis among HIV patients. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in ART centers, cryptococcosis in blood samples was evaluated by microscopic examination and culture technique. Data obtained from the patients records were then analyzed. Results: Among the 65 blood cultures, examination by nigrosin revealed no polysaccharide capsule of Cryptococcus (0%). And no growth of Cryptococcus upon culture (0%). One sample revealed Candida glabrata, and 25 samples (38.5%) showed non-capsulated yeasts, these findings were obtained from patients who were not on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Conclusion: This study shows that cryptococcosis among HIV patients is not frequent. Adherence to treatment with ART is recommended for HIV patients.

Keywords: Cryptococcosis, HIV, patients.