Case report: Experience and insights on the treatment of two cases of cryptococcal meningitis during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's an increasing trend in opportunistic infections, including bacterial and fungal infections. This study discusses the treatment process of two cases of cryptococcal meningitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the importance of laboratory testing for these co-infections and stresses the need for vigilance, early diagnosis, and proactive treatment to improve patient outcomes in the post-pandemic era.

The application value of cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin in tuberculous meningitis.

This article aims to study the value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoglobulin in differential diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The clinical data of 65 patients with TBM in our hospital were collected, and 65 patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) were enrolled in 1:1 matching. Relevant data were collected for comparison. CSFs IgG [331.51 (164.85, 645.00) vs 129.00 (55.05, 251.00) ng/mL], IgM [22.38 (8.52, 40.18) vs 6.08 (2.19, 23.30) ng/mL], and IgA [64.11 (21.44, 115.48) vs 16.55 (4.76, 30.36) ng/mL] in the TBM group were higher than those in the CM group (P < 0.001). In the TBM group, after 24 weeks of treatment, the CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The predictive results of CSF immunoglobulin for TBM showed that IgG, IgM, and IgA all had some predictive value for TBM, and the combined predictive value of the three was the highest, with an area under the curve of 0.831 (95% CI: 0.774-0.881). Logistic regression analysis of CSF immunoglobulins and TBM prognosis showed that IgG [odds ratio (OR) = 4.796, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.575-8.864], IgM (OR = 3.456, 95% CI: 2.757-5.754), and IgA (OR = 4.371, 95% CI: 2.731-5.856) were TBM risk factors for poor prognosis in patients. The levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA in CSF were positively correlated with the severity of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in TBM patients (R2 = 0.542, F = 65.392, P < 0.05). CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA can be used as a routine monitoring index for TBM patients, which has a certain reference value in differential diagnosis and efficacy evaluation. IMPORTANCE: In clinical practice, physicians can determine the physical conditions of patients based on the levels of cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) IgG, IgM, and IgA. Higher levels of CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA suggest more possibility of tuberculous meningitis and worse prognosis and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations.

Polymerase chain reaction negative cryptococcal meningitis.

A 61-year-old male with subacute headache was found to have cryptococcal meningitis despite a negative BioFire FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel. This case underscores the importance of liberal cryptococcal antigen testing, and that a negative FilmArray panel is inadequate in excluding cryptococcal meningitis, particularly in a HIV-negative host.

HIV-associated disseminated cryptococcosis-An unusual clinical and diagnostic picture with successful cure by single dose liposomal amphotericin B treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is an invasive, opportunistic fungal infection seen especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is the second leading cause of mortality in HIV patients. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis presenting with altered mental status in a newly diagnosed HIV infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 50-year-old with a short history of altered mental sensorium and a history of low-grade fever and weight loss for few months presented at a tertiary care hospital in North India. He was detected positive for HIV-1. Cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) was positive in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and negative in serum. The fungal culture in CSF was sterile while the fungal blood culture grew Cryptococcus neoformans. The patient was treated with single high-dose Liposomal Amphotericin B (LAmB) therapy followed by Fluconazole and Flucytosine for the next two weeks followed by fluconazole daily for consolidation and maintenance therapy. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was started 4 weeks after induction therapy. After 6 months, the patient is doing fine. CONCLUSION: Single dose LAmB along with the backbone of fluconazole and flucytosine appears promising in disseminated cryptococcal infection in HIV-infected individuals.

Development and validation of quantitative PCR assays for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa: a diagnostic accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis is the second leading cause of AIDS-related deaths, with a 10-week mortality rate of 25-30%. Fungal load assessed by colony-forming unit (CFU) counts is used as a prognostic marker and to monitor response to treatment in research studies. PCR-based assessment of fungal load could be quicker and less labour-intensive. We sought to design, optimise, and validate quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for the detection, identification, and quantification of Cryptococcus infections in patients with cryptococcal meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: We developed and validated species-specific qPCR assays based on DNA amplification of QSP1 (QSP1A specific to Cryptococcus neoformans, QSP1B/C specific to Cryptococcus deneoformans, and QSP1D specific to Cryptococcus gattii species) and a pan-Cryptococcus assay based on a multicopy 28S rRNA gene. This was a longitudinal study that validated the designed assays on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 209 patients with cryptococcal meningitis at baseline (day 0) and during anti-fungal therapy (day 7 and day 14), from the AMBITION-cm trial in Botswana and Malawi (2018-21). Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older and presenting with a first case of cryptococcal meningitis. FINDINGS: When compared with quantitative cryptococcal culture as the reference, the sensitivity of the 28S rRNA was 98·2% (95% CI 95·1-99·5) and of the QSP1 assay was 90·4% (85·2-94·0) in CSF at day 0. Quantification of the fungal load with QSP1 and 28S rRNA qPCR correlated with quantitative cryptococcal culture (R2=0·73 and R2=0·78, respectively). Both Botswana and Malawi had a predominant C neoformans prevalence of 67% (95% CI 55-75) and 68% (57-73), respectively, and lower C gattii rates of 21% (14-31) and 8% (4-14), respectively. We identified ten patients that, after 14 days of treatment, harboured viable but non-culturable yeasts based on QSP1 RNA detection (without any positive CFU in CSF culture). INTERPRETATION: QSP1 and 28S rRNA assays are useful in identifying Cryptococcus species. qPCR results correlate well with baseline quantitative cryptococcal culture and show a similar decline in fungal load during induction therapy. These assays could be a faster alternative to quantitative cryptococcal culture to determine fungal load clearance. The clinical implications of the possible detection of viable but non-culturable cells in CSF during induction therapy remain unclear. FUNDING: European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership; Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; Wellcome Trust/UK Medical Research Council/UKAID Joint Global Health Trials; and UK National Institute for Health Research.

Complex Decisions in HIV-Related Cryptococcosis: Addressing Second Episodes of Cryptococcal Meningitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the difficulties in diagnosing and treating persons with a prior history of cryptococcal meningitis who improve but suffer from a recurrence of symptoms. This scenario is well known to those who frequently care for patients with cryptococcal meningitis but is not well understood. We highlight major gaps in knowledge. RECENT FINDINGS: We recently summarized our experience with 28 persons with paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and 81 persons with microbiological relapse. CD4 count and cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count were higher in IRIS than relapse but neither was reliable enough to routinely differentiate these conditions. Second-episode cryptococcal meningitis remains a difficult clinical scenario as cryptococcal antigen, while excellent for initial diagnosis has no value in differentiating relapse of infection from other causes of recurrent symptoms. Updated research definitions are proposed and rapid, accurate diagnostic tests are urgently needed.

Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of cryptococcosis: an initiative of the ECMM and ISHAM in cooperation with the ASM.

Cryptococcosis is a major worldwide disseminated invasive fungal infection. Cryptococcosis, particularly in its most lethal manifestation of cryptococcal meningitis, accounts for substantial mortality and morbidity. The breadth of the clinical cryptococcosis syndromes, the different patient types at-risk and affected, and the vastly disparate resource settings where clinicians practice pose a complex array of challenges. Expert contributors from diverse regions of the world have collated data, reviewed the evidence, and provided insightful guideline recommendations for health practitioners across the globe. This guideline offers updated practical guidance and implementable recommendations on the clinical approaches, screening, diagnosis, management, and follow-up care of a patient with cryptococcosis and serves as a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence on cryptococcosis. This Review seeks to facilitate optimal clinical decision making on cryptococcosis and addresses the myriad of clinical complications by incorporating data from historical and contemporary clinical trials. This guideline is grounded on a set of core management principles, while acknowledging the practical challenges of antifungal access and resource limitations faced by many clinicians and patients. More than 70 societies internationally have endorsed the content, structure, evidence, recommendation, and pragmatic wisdom of this global cryptococcosis guideline to inform clinicians about the past, present, and future of care for a patient with cryptococcosis.

Tracking Cryptococcal Meningitis to Monitor HIV Program Success During the Treat All Era: An Analysis of National Data in Botswana.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) causes substantial mortality in African countries with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), despite advances in disease management and increasing antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage. Reliable diagnosis of CM is cheap and more accessible than other indicators of advanced HIV disease burden such as CD4 testing or investigation for disseminated tuberculosis; therefore, monitoring CM incidence has the potential to serve as a valuable metric of HIV programmatic success. METHODS: Botswana national meningitis surveillance data from 2015 to 2022 were obtained from electronic health records. All electronic laboratory records from cerebrospinal fluid samples analyzed within government healthcare facilities in Botswana were extracted from a central online repository. Adjustments for missing data were made through triangulation with prospective cohort study datasets. CM case frequency was enumerated using a case definition and incidence calculated using national census data. RESULTS: A total of 1744 episodes of CM were identified; incidence declined from 15.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.4-16.7) cases/100 000 person-years in 2015 to 7.4 (95% CI, 6.4-8.6) cases/100 000 person-years in 2022. However, the rate of decline slowed following the introduction of universal treatment in 2016. The highest incidence was observed in men and individuals aged 40-44 years. The proportion of cases diagnosed through cryptococcal antigen testing increased from 35.5% to 86.3%. CONCLUSIONS: CM incidence has decreased in Botswana following expansion of ART coverage but persists at a stubbornly high incidence. Most cases are now diagnosed through the cheap and easy-to-use cryptococcal antigen test, highlighting the potential of using CM as key metric of program success in the Treat All era.

Anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies predict outcome of cryptococcal meningitis in patients not infected with HIV: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the seroprevalence of anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and assess its predictive value for survival. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 12 years of non-HIV CM. We detected serum anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies, and evaluated the clinical features and outcomes, together with the exploration of prognostic factors for 2-week and 1-year survival. RESULTS: A total of 584 non-HIV CM cases were included. 301 of 584 patients (51.5%) were phenotypically healthy. 264 Cryptococcus isolates were obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture, of which 251 were identified as C. neoformans species complex and 13 as C. gattii species complex. Thirty-seven of 455 patients (8.1%) tested positive for serum anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies. Patients with anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies were more susceptible to C. gattii species complex infection (66.7% vs. 6.3%; p < 0.001) and more likely to develop pulmonary mass lesions with a diameter >3 centimetres (42.9% vs. 6.5%; p 0.001). Of 584 patients 16 (2.7%) died within 2 weeks, 77 of 563 patients (13.7%) died at 1 year, and 93 of 486 patients (19.1%) lived with disabilities at 1 year. Univariant Cox regression analysis found that anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies were associated with lower 1-year survival (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.34-5.27; p 0.005). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modelling revealed that CSF cryptococcal antigen titres ≥1:1280 were associated with both, reduced 2-week and 1-year survival rates (HR, 5.44; 95% CI, 1.23-24.10; p 0.026 and HR, 5.09; 95% CI, 1.95-13.26; p 0.001). DISCUSSION: Presence of serum anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies is predictive of poor outcomes, regardless of host immune status and the causative Cryptococcus species complex.

Case Report: Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Previously Immunocompetent Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Cryptococcus neoformans infections occur most frequently in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a previously immunocompetent 78-year-old female patient after treatment of COVID-19. Underlying diseases included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. The patient was critically ill and was treated with remdesivir, baricitinib, and dexamethasone. During hospitalization, her mental state changed, and C. neoformans was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. She died despite receiving antifungal treatment. Treatment of COVID-19 may be a predisposing factor for C. neoformans infection. There is a need for concern and countermeasures for opportunistic fungal infections that may accompany COVID-19.

Identification of risk factors for disseminated cryptococcosis in non-hiv patients: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors associated with disseminated cryptococcosis in HIV-negative individuals. METHODS: A total of 106 HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal disease were enrolled. The observation group consisted of patients with disseminated cryptococcosis (DC), whereas the control groups included patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression algorithms were used to explore the significant clinical and laboratory characteristics that affect the progression of cryptococcal infections. Finally, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves are applied to assess the diagnostic value of identified risk factors.LE: Kindly check the edit made in the title.I agree RESULTS: Of the 106 patients, 57 were diagnosed with pulmonary cryptococcosis, 22 with cryptococcal meningitis, and 27 with disseminated cryptococcosis. The logistic regression equation included five variables: diabetes, decompensated liver cirrhosis, long-term use of immunosuppressive agents, decreased serum albumin level, and elevated plasma cytokine IL-10 level. The ROC curves showed that albumin (AUC > 0.7), IL-10 (AUC > 0.7) and decompensated liver cirrhosis (AUC > 0.6) have relatively high diagnostic capacity in predicting the progression of Cryptococcus. CONCLUSION: This study identified elevated IL-10 levels as an independent risk factor for developing disseminated cryptococcosis in the control groups. Furthermore, decompensated liver cirrhosis and decreased serum albumin independently affected the progression of cryptococcosis in the CM and PC groups, respectively.

Guidelines for diagnosing, preventing and managing cryptococcal disease among adults, adolescents and children living with HIV

Cryptococcal disease is one of the most common opportunistic infections among people living with advanced HIV disease and is a major contributor to severe illness, morbidity, and mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. These guidelines update the recommendations that were first released in 2018 on diagnosing, preventing, and managing cryptococcal disease. In response to important new evidence that became available in 2021, these new guidelines strongly recommend a single high dose of liposomal amphotericin B as part of the preferred induction regimen for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in people living with HIV. This simplified regimen - a single high dose of liposomal amphotericin B paired with other standard medicines (flucytosine and fluconazole) - is as effective as the previous WHO standard of care, with the benefits of lower toxicity and fewer monitoring demands. The objective of these guidelines is to provide updated, evidence-informed recommendations for treating adults, adolescents and children living with HIV who have cryptococcal disease. These guidelines are aimed at HIV programme managers, policymakers, national treatment advisory boards, implementing partners and health-care professionals providing care for people living with HIV in resource-limited settings with a high burden of cryptococcal

Etiology of meningitis among adults in three quaternary hospitals in Mozambique, 2016-2017: The role of HIV

Antecedentes: A meningite continua a ser uma causa importante de morbimortalidade em adultos na África Subsaariana. Os dados sobre a investigação etiológica da meningite em adultos em Moçambique são limitados e a maioria dos estudos foram realizados no sul de Moçambique. A identificação da etiologia da meningite em adultos é crucial para orientar estratégias de prevenção e tratamento. Neste estudo, determinamos a carga de meningite fúngica e bacteriana entre adultos nos três maiores hospitais de Moçambique. Método: Realizamos análise de dados do sistema de vigilância sentinela de rotina para meningite em Moçambique de janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2017. Amostras de líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) foram coletadas de adultos elegíveis (≥18 anos de idade) que atenderam ao caso da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Critérios de definição para Meningite. Todas as amostras foram testadas por ensaio de fluxo lateral (LFA) de antígeno criptocócico (CrAg), cultura e ensaio triplex de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) e todos os pacientes foram testados para o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) usando o algoritmo nacional para testes de HIV. Resultados: A análise retrospectiva de 1.501 amostras de LCR de adultos com suspeita clínica de meningite revelou que 10,5% (158/1.501) foram positivas para meningite bacteriana e fúngica. Destes 158 casos confirmados, a proporção de meningite criptocócica e meningite pneumocócica foi de 38,6% (IC 95%: 31,0% a 46,7%) e 36,7% (IC 95%: 29,2% a 44,7%), respectivamente. Os outros agentes bacterianos de meningite identificados incluem Neisseria meningitidis (8,9%; 14/158), Escherichia coli (6,3%; 10/158), Haemophilus influenzae (5,1%; 8/158) e S. aureus (4,4%; 7/ 158), que representam (24,7%; 39/158) do total de casos confirmados. Conclusão: Em conjunto, os nossos resultados mostram uma elevada carga de meningite criptocócica entre adultos em Moçambique, especialmente em pessoas que vivem com VIH, seguida de meningite pneumocócica. As nossas descobertas sugerem que a implementação do Ensaio de Fluxo Lateral CrAg no sistema de saúde em Moçambique para a detecção precoce de Cryptococcus neoformans é necessária para melhorar o atendimento geral ao paciente.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection by Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto: Case report and literature review

BackgroundCryptococcal ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection is known to occur due to an underlying infection in the patient rather than by nosocomial transmission of Cryptococcus during shunt placement. A case of chronic hydrocephalus due to cryptococcal meningitis that was misdiagnosed as tuberculous meningitis is described.Case reportPatient details were extracted from charts and laboratory records. The identification of the isolate was confirmed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the orotodine monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (URA5) gene. Antifungal susceptibility was determined using the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. Besides, a Medline search was performed to review all cases of Cryptococcus ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection. Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto (formerly Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii), mating-type MATα was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid and external ventricular drain tip. The isolate showed low minimum inhibitory concentrations for voriconazole (0.06mg/l), fluconazole (8mg/l), isavuconazole (<0.015mg/l), posaconazole (<0.03mg/l), amphotericin B (<0.06mg/l) and 5-fluorocytosine (1mg/l). The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate, but died of cardiopulmonary arrest on the fifteenth postoperative day.ConclusionsThis report underlines the need to rule out a Cryptococcus infection in those cases of chronic meningitis with hydrocephalus. (AU)

AntecedentesLa infección criptocócica por contaminación de las derivaciones ventriculoperitoneales es una complicación que puede tener lugar en el paciente previamente infectado más que deberse a una transmisión nosocomial de Cryptococcus durante la colocación del dispositivo. Se describe un caso de hidrocefalia crónica por meningitis criptocócica que se diagnosticó erróneamente como meningitis tuberculosa.Caso clínicoLos datos del paciente se extrajeron de la historia clínica y de los registros de laboratorio. La identificación del aislamiento se confirmó mediante PCR de polimorfismo de longitud de fragmento de restricción del gen de la orotodina monofosfato pirofosforilasa (URA5). La sensibilidad a los antifúngicos se realizó mediante el método de microdilución en caldo CLSI M27-A3. Se realizó, además, una búsqueda en Medline para revisar todos los casos de infección por Cryptococcus asociados a derivación ventriculoperitoneal. Se aisló Cryptococcus neoformans sensu stricto (antes Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii), tipo MATα, del líquido cefalorraquídeo y de la punta del drenaje extraventricular. El aislamiento mostró, in vitro, valores bajos de concentración mínima inhibitoria para el voriconazol (0,06mg/l), el fluconazol (8mg/l), el isavuconazol (<0,015mg/l), el posaconazol (<0,03mg/l), la anfotericina B (<0,06mg/l) y la 5-fluorocitocina (1mg/l). El paciente fue tratado con anfotericina B desoxicolato intravenoso, pero falleció por parada cardiopulmonar el decimoquinto día del postoperatorio.ConclusionesNuestro caso subraya la necesidad de descartar la presencia de Cryptococcus en los casos de meningitis crónica con hidrocefalia. (AU)

Teste diagnóstico, point of care, de Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA) para detecção de infecção por Cryptococcus e diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (PVHIV) / Cryptococcal diagnostic test, point of care Lateral Antigen Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA) for detection of Cryptococcus infection and diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in people living as human immunodeficiency virus (PVHIV)

CONTEXTO: A criptococose é uma micose sistêmica causada por duas espécies do basidiomiceto encapsulado do gênero Cryptococcus. A infecção acomete principalmente o sistema nervoso central (SNC) e o trato respiratório e sua apresentação mais comum é a meningite criptocócica (MC) ou meningoencefalite. Mundialmente, a MC é resultado de cerca de 15% de todas as mortes relacionadas ao HIV. Estima-se que os 223.100 casos de MC, em 2014, resultaram em 181.100 óbitos, sendo 75% (135.900) na África Subsaariana, seguida pelo Sudeste Asiático e América Latina. Após o surgimento da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) para o HIV, a incidência da criptococose diminuiu significativamente em países desenvolvidos (39%), entretanto, a incidência e a mortalidade pela infecção criptocócica ainda é extremamente alta em países com epidemia de HIV incontrolada e acesso limitado aos medicamentos e aos cuidados de saúde. TECNOLOGIA: Teste diagnóstico, point of care, de Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA). PERGUNTAS DE PESQUISA: 1) O teste CRAG-LFA é sensível e específico na detecção da infecção por Cryptococcus em PVHIV com células CD4+ ≤ 200 cél/mm³ comparado ao teste de aglutinação do látex? 2) O teste CRAG-LFA é sensível e específico no diagnóstico da meningite criptocócica em PVHIV sintomáticos, independente da contagem de células CD4+, se comparado ao teste de aglutinação do látex e tinta da China, em amostra de líquor? EVIDÊNCIAS CLÍNICAS: Para a Pergunta 1 de pesquisa, a estimativa de sensibilidade de CRAG-LFA na detecção da infecção criptocócica foi de 100% e as estimativas de especificidade variaram de 99% a 100%, em relação ao teste de aglutinação por látex (CRAG-LA). Já a sensibilidade combinada dos dois estudos primários incluídos foi 100% (IC95%; 96 - 100) e a especificidade combinada de 99% (IC95%; 99 - 100). Para a Pergunta 2 de pesquisa, a estimativa de sensibilidade de CRAGLFA no diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em PVHIV foi de 100% e as estimativas de especificidade variaram de 98% a 99%. A sensibilidade combinada dos três estudos primários meta-analisados foi de 100% (IC95%; 92 - 100) e a especificidade combinada de 99% (IC95%; 97 - 100), em relação ao teste de tinta da China. Como evidências analisadas para responder à Pergunta 2 de pesquisa, também foram incluídas duas revisões sistemáticas com meta-análise, a primeira reportou que os valores de sensibilidade e especificidade combinados de CRAG-LFA no líquor foram 98,9% (IC 95%, 97,9% a 99,5%) e 98,9% (IC 95%, 98,0% a 99,5%), respectivamente, já a segunda revisão descreveu que, no líquor, CRAG-LA (10 coortes diagnósticas, 1810 participantes) teve uma sensibilidade resumida de 97,1% (91,9 - 99) e uma especificidade de 99,1% (93,8 - 99,9) enquanto o teste CRAG-LFA (6 coortes diagnósticas, 3.099 participantes) teve uma sensibilidade resumida de 99,5% (97,2 - 99,9) e especificidade de 99,5% (94,2 - 99,9). Embora houvesse alguma evidência estatística fraca de que o CRAG-LFA pode ter melhor sensibilidade no líquor (p = 0,07) do que CRAG-LA, suas especificidades foram comparáveis (p = 0,54). EVIDÊNCIAS ECONÔMICAS: Foi conduzida avaliação econômica do tipo Microssimulação de Monte Carlo, com horizonte temporal de um ano. Considerou-se dois desfechos primários de efetividade: anos de vida e anos de vida ajustados por qualidade (QALY). A análise de custo-efetividade mostrou que os dois testes, CRAG-LA e CRAG-LFA, são custo-efetivos, dominando a alternativa tinta da China e o cenário de não realização da detecção. Para o diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em PVHIV sintomáticas o uso do teste diagnóstico CRAG-LFA revelou-se custo-efetivo comparado ao teste CRAG-LA, e ao teste tinta da China. A análise de sensibilidade determinística e probabilística indica um favorecimento, na maioria das vezes, do teste CRAG-LFA. ANÁLISE DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: A análise de impacto orçamentário (AIO) foi realizada para um horizonte temporal de cinco anos, assumindo-se um market share inicial de 20% para o LFA, com incrementos anuais no mesmo valor, chegando a 100% no quinto ano. Para a pergunta 1 de pesquisa a incorporação de LFA teria um custo adicional de aproximadamente 52,7 milhões de reais. Estimou-se também o impacto orçamentário de 100% de adoção da detecção em PVHIV CD4≤ 200 cél/mm³ assintomáticos. Nesse contexto, ocorreria uma economia da ordem de 55 milhões de reais em cinco anos, considerando detecção precoce e tratamento preemptivo, em relação ao custo de tratamento da meningite. Para a pergunta 2, para cada 1.000 PVHIV por ano, em cinco anos teríamos 809 indivíduos tratados a um custo adicional de R$ 10.697.431,27. RECOMENDAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS: Foi realizada busca por recomendações de uso do teste CRAG-LFA por outras instituições e agências de ATS, a recomendação identificada é proveniente da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). De acordo com a OMS, o diagnóstico e o tratamento precoce da meningite criptocócica são essenciais para reduzir a mortalidade por doença criptocócica em pacientes com infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV). A recomendação do órgão é para que os países deem prioridade a ensaios de antígeno criptocócico de diagnóstico rápido, de preferência ensaios de fluxo lateral como o CRAG-LFA, para uso no líquor, soro, plasma ou sangue total. Para adultos, adolescentes e crianças vivendo com HIV com suspeita de um primeiro episódio de meningite criptocócica, a punção lombar imediata com medição da pressão de abertura do líquor e aplicação de um teste diagnóstico rápido para o antígeno criptocócico é recomendado como o preferido abordagem diagnóstica. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Foram identificados dois outros testes registrados no segundo semestre de 2020 na Anvisa: CRAG Lateral Flow Assay e Biosynex® CryptoPS como testes rápidos CRAG-LFA. Na técnica de LA foram localizados 4 (quatro) registros sanitários na ANVISA. Já no FDA foram encontrados 3 (três) registros sanitários, sendo 1 (um) utilizando a técnica de sonda de DNA. Também foram consultadas as bases de dados de Propriedade Intelectual da WIPO e Espacenet Patent para buscar depósitos de testes de diagnósticos para meningite criptocócica. A consulta buscou os dados recentes de depósitos concedidos entre 2017 e 2020. Foram localizadas 05 patentes concedidas, sendo 04 (quatro) para metodologias em biologia molecular e um (1) para espectroscopia de Raman. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Dadas as evidências apresentadas, o teste CRAG-LFA tem potencial custo-efetivo para a detecção da infecção criptocócica e prevenção da mortalidade relacionada à meningite criptocócica em PVHIV. RECOMENDAÇÃO PRELIMINAR: Diante do exposto, a Conitec, em sua 95ª reunião ordinária, realizada no dia 03 de março de 2021, deliberou que a matéria fosse disponibilizada em consulta pública com recomendação preliminar favorável à incorporação no SUS do teste point of care de Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA) para detecção de infecção por Cryptococcus em pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (PVHIV) com CD4+ ≥200 células/mm³ e diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em PVHIV independente da contagem de células CD4+. Os membros do plenário concordaram, a partir das evidências apresentadas que o teste diagnóstico é custo-efetivo, tem baixo impacto orçamentário e, além disso, foi considerado um teste de fácil aplicação na prática clínica, superando os testes já disponíveis, utilizados como comparadores. A matéria foi disponibilizada em consulta pública. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: A Consulta Pública nº 18/2021 foi realizada entre os dias 18/03/2021 e 06/04/2021. Foram recebidas 82 contribuições, sendo 45 pelo formulário para contribuições técnico-científicas e 38 pelo formulário para contribuições sobre experiência ou opinião de pacientes, familiares, amigos ou cuidadores de pacientes, profissionais de saúde ou pessoas interessadas no tema. Foram consideradas apenas as contribuições encaminhadas no período estipulado e por meio do site da Conitec, em formulário próprio. As contribuições recebidas destacaram as vantagens clínicas do uso do teste CRAG-LFA, considerando economia de recursos, na identificação precoce da condição e tratamento preemptivo. Vantagens relacionadas ao manuseio do teste, sua aplicabilidade e facilidade na interpretação também foram citadas. Não FORAM ADICIONADAS REFERÊNCIAS QUE ALTERASSEM A ANÁLISE DA EVIDÊNCIA APRESENTADA NO RELATÓRIO. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL: Os membros do plenário presentes na 97ª reunião ordinária da Conitec, no dia 05 de maio de 2021, deliberaram, por unanimidade, recomendar a incorporação, no SUS, do teste diagnóstico, point of care, de Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA) para detecção da infecção por Cryptococcus em pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (PVHIV) com células CD4+ ≤ 200 cél/mm³ e diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em PVHIV sintomáticos, independente da contagem de células CD4+, conforme estabelecido pelo Ministério da Saúde. Não foram adicionadas referências que alterassem a análise da evidência apresentada. Foi assinado o Registro de Deliberação nº 610/2021. DECISÃO: Incorporar o teste diagnóstico, point of care, de Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CRAG-LFA) para detecção de infecção por Cryptococcus em pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (PVHIV) com CD4+ ³200 células/mm³ e diagnóstico de meningite criptocócica em PVHIV independente da contagem de células CD4+, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde ­ SUS, conforme Portaria nº 28, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 108, Seção 1, página 177, em 11 de junho de 2021.(AU)

Comparison of two commercial tests (Immy vs. Dynamiker) for cryptococcal capsular antigen

Abstract INTRODUCTION Lateral flow assay is an advanced method useful in the early diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. We aimed to compare two commercial tests for cryptococcal capsular antigen in the sera of asymptomatic patients with human immunodeficiency virus in Barranquilla, Colombia. METHODS Thawed (n=162) previously collected serums (2016-2019) were processed using IMMY and Dynamiker cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay. RESULTS Compared to IMMY's results, Dynamiker's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and kappa index were 100%, 89.9%, 48.3%, 100.0%, and 0.61, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The Dynamiker test had excellent sensitivity, acceptable specificity, and a low detection threshold for cryptococcal antigen in the tested samples.

Production of a latex agglutination reagent for the rapid diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis / Producción de un reactivo de látex para el diagnóstico rápido de criptococosismeníngea

Abstract Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease affecting more than one million people per yearworldwide. Its main etiological agents are Cryptococcus neoformans species complex and Cryp-tococcus gattii species complex. Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is considered an AIDS-definingcondition. Rapid diagnosis by cryptococcal antigen assays, either the latex agglutination test(LA) or the lateral flow assay, is key to decreasing mortality due to cryptococcal disease. Theaim of the study was to develop a latex agglutination reagent (LA-ANLIS) for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of cryptococcosis in Argentina. This reagent will be produced in order to supplythe NMLN (National Mycology Laboratory Network). The evaluation of LA-ANLIS performanceand its comparison with the Cryptococcus Antigen Latex Agglutination Test System (LA-IMMY)(Immuno-Mycologics, Inc., USA) were conducted in 94 samples of cerebrospinal fluid. LA-ANLISand LA-IMMY compared exhibited 100% positive agreement and 97% negative agreement. LA-ANLIS showed 94% sensitivity and 97% specificity with the positive and negative predictivevalues of 94% and 97%, respectively. The LA-ANLIS is a reliable, reproducible and cost-effectivereagent, especially useful in countries where the commercial kit is not generally available andmust be obtained at a high cost. National production of reagents is the best choice for a reliableaccess to the rapid diagnosis of CM in Argentina.

Resumen La criptococosis es una enfermedad fúngica que afecta a más de un millón de personas por año en todo el mundo. Los principales agentes etiológicos pertenecen a los complejos de especies Cryptococcus neoformans y Cryptococcus gattii. La criptococosis meníngea (CM) se considera una enfermedad marcadora de sida. El diagnóstico rápido de esta enfermedad a través de la detección del antígeno de Cryptococcus, ya sea por aglutinación en partículas de látex o por inmunocromatografía, es clave para disminuir la mortalidad. El objetivo del presente estudio fue desarrollar un reactivo de aglutinación en partículas de látex para el diagnóstico rápido y certero de la CM en Argentina. Este reactivo (denominado en adelante LA-ANLIS) será producido para abastecer a la Red Nacional de Laboratorios de Micología. Se evaluó el desempeno del reactivo LA-ANLIS, y se realizó una comparación con el reactivo comercial Immuno-Mycologics, Inc. (en adelante, LA-IMMY) utilizando 94 muestras de líquido cefalorraquídeo. Hubo un 100% de acuerdo positivo y un 97% de acuerdo negativo entre los resultados obtenidos con los reactivos LA-ANLIS y LA-IMMY. El reactivo LA-ANLIS mostró una sensibilidad del 94% y una especificidad del 97%; los valores predictivos positivo y negativo fueron del 94 y del 97%, respectivamente. Se concluye que el LA-ANLIS es un reactivo confiable y rentable, que arroja resultados reproducibles, por lo que es especialmente útil en países donde los reactivos comerciales generalmente no están disponibles o sus costos son elevados. La producción nacional de reactivos es la mejor opción para asegurar el acceso de todos los hospitales al diagnóstico rápido de la CM en Argentina.