The phenotype of the Cryptococcus-specific CD4+ memory T-cell response is associated with disease severity and outcome in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.

ing of IFN-γ or TNF-α production had a 2-week mortality of 0% (0/20), compared with 25% (6/24) in those without this response (P= .025). Such patients also had lower fungal burdens (10 400 vs 390 000 colony-forming units/mL; P< .001), higher cerebrospinal fluid lymphocyte counts (122 vs 8 cells/μL; P< .001), and a trend toward faster rates of clearance of infection. Conclusions. The phenotype of the peripheral CD4 + T-cell response to Cryptococcus was associated with disease severity and outcome in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. IFN-γ/TNF-α–predominant responses were associated with survival.