The prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia in newly diagnosed HIV patients in a Southwest London cohort

Summary Objectives To determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia in a UK HIV cohort and compare baseline characteristics of patients with and without cryptococcal antigenemia. Methods Stored sera were retrospectively tested for cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) among newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons with CD4  Results 157 patients were identified with a median age of 47 and CD4 count of 26 cells/μL. 102 (65%) were of Black race and 91 (58%) of African origin. Eight patients (5%) had positive serum CRAG. 7/8 had cryptococcal meningitis (CM) as first presentation of HIV, and 1 had sub-clinical infection. 7/8 (88%) CRAG positives were of African origin compared to 84/149 (54%) of CRAG negatives ( p  = 0.14). Other baseline characteristics did not differ significantly. Conclusion We found a 5% prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia in newly diagnosed HIV patients with CD4