Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (May 2018)

Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in cryptococcosis: impact on outcome

  • Timothée Boyer Chammard,
  • Elvis Temfack,
  • Olivier Lortholary,
  • Alexandre Alanio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0074-02760180050
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 113, no. 7

Abstract

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Cryptococcosis diagnosis has been recently improved by the use of rapid cryptococcal antigen testing with lateral flow assays, which have proved sensitive and specific. Using “test and treat” screening strategies for cryptococcal disease with these tests has been showed effective in reducing cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in HIV-infected patients. Recommended induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapeutic strategy for CM is widely unavailable and/or expensive in low and middle-income settings. New therapeutic strategies, mostly using reduced duration, have recently shown acceptable outcome or are currently tested. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for cryptococcal disease in limited resources countries are undergoing a paradigmatic shift.

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