Epidemiological characterization and prognostic factors in patients with confirmed cerebral cryptococcosis in central Taiwan
J. venom. anim. toxins incl. trop. dis
; 21: 1-11, 31/03/2015. tab
Article
em En
| LILACS, VETINDEX
| ID: biblio-1484620
Biblioteca responsável:
BR68.1
Localização: BR68.1
ABSTRACT
Background Cryptococcal meningitis is a deadly fungal infection. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of cerebral cryptococcosis and to define its prognostic factors. Methods This cross-sectional study collected clinical information from cryptococcal meningitis patients with confirmed cerebral cryptococcosis from 2006 to 2012 at the Changhua Christian Healthcare System to access prognostic factors. Result Fifty-nine adult cryptococcal meningitis patients were studied. The incidence at Changhua Christian Healthcare System was approximately 170 episodes per 100,000 patients within the studied period. Forty-one of 59 cryptococcal meningitis patients developed complications. Overall, 12 of 59 patients died, for a three-month mortality rate of 20.3 %. Prognostic factors positively associated with the three-month mortality included age (>55 years), patient delay, prolonged delay by the doctor in administering antifungal agent therapy, duration of intensive care unit stay, chronic lung disease, cryptococcemia, headache, altered mental status, positive blood cultures, and high cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (>250 mm H2O). Conclusions We strongly recommend early administration of an antifungal agent to each suspected cryptococcal meningitis patient to decrease both the delay by doctors in administering therapy and the mortality risk. Aggressive and supportive care for severe cryptococcal meningitis patients is critical to decrease overall mortality from this infection.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
LILACS
Assunto principal:
Taiwan
/
Meningite Criptocócica
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Criptococose
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Cryptococcus neoformans
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Cryptococcus gattii
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J. venom. anim. toxins incl. trop. dis
Assunto da revista:
TOXICOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Taiwan