European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of adult fungal meningitis and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. The onset of fungal meningitis typically precedes the detection of serum/plasma cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) by several weeks. Screening for Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg) and early treatment can significantly prevent the development of fungal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 100 antiretroviral therapy (ART) naive patients, comprising 65 males and 35 females, from both ART clinics and Medicine Indoor facilities. Serum/CSF cryptococcal positivity was determined using the Latex agglutination test (Pastorex TM Cryptoplus, BIO-RAD, France) and the Lateral flow assay by IMMY Kit (US FDA approved). CD4 counts were measured using a flow cytometer (Becton-Dickinson FACS count flow cytometer). Results: The prevalence of CrAg positivity in the study was 7% (7/100), with 4% (4/100) exhibiting features of meningitis. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association of antigenemia with demographic features such as age, inpatient status, and symptomatic groups (p-value ≤ 0.05). A low CD4 count (<50) was correlated with a higher seropositivity rate of 33.3% (5/100). Clinical symptoms like headache, vomiting, and fever showed a statistically significant association with cryptococcal antigenemia. Conclusion: The study concludes that cryptococcal antigenemia is more prevalent in ART-naive HIV patients with lower CD4 counts, emphasizing the need for urgent screening and the substitution of antifungal treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cryptococcal meningitis.