Strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity due to AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis in Latin America.

Latin America is the region with the third most AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis infections globally. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced the number of infections; however, the number of deaths and the case-fatality rate continues to be unacceptable. In this review, we focus on the burden of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in Latin America and discuss potential strategies to reduce early mortality from Cryptococcus. In this review, we highlight the importance of: (1) earlier HIV diagnosis and HAART initiation with retention-in-care to avoid AIDS; (2) pre-HAART cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) screening with preemptive fluconazole treatment; (3) better diagnostics (e.g. CRAG testing); and (4) optimal treatment with aggressive management of intracranial pressure and induction therapy with antifungal combination. Implementation of these strategies can reduce cryptococcal-related deaths, improve care, and reduce healthcare costs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jose E Vidal, Augusto C Penalva de Oliveira, Rafi F Dauar, David R Boulware. Strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity due to AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis in Latin America. The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases : an official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases. 2013 May-Jun;17(3):353-62

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PMID: 23665012

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