Systematic screening of cryptococcal antigenemia in HIV-positive adults in Uganda

In sub-Saharan Africa, cryptococcosis is a frequent opportunistic infection and a major cause of death in patients with AIDS. 1,2 The disease is mainly recognized at the neuromeningitis stage and is diagnosed by microscopy and culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The identification of cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) by latex particle agglutination is highly sensitive, 3,4 and this technique is used routinely in Western countries. We evaluated the prevalence of CRAG in serum samples from adults with clinically advanced HIV infection and the proportion of CRAG-positive patients with neuromeningitis.