New insights in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis

Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2012 Sep;9(3):267-77. doi: 10.1007/s11904-012-0127-7.

Abstract

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients, especially in areas of high HIV prevalence, although it can also cause disease in the apparently immunocompetent. Improving the management of HIV-associated CM is important to ensure that patients can survive to benefit from increasing access to ART. In this review we focus on recent advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CM.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Intracranial Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Intracranial Hypertension / immunology*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / drug therapy*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / immunology
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / prevention & control
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Fluconazole