[Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients at Bobo-Dioulasso hospital (Burkina Faso)].

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is an important fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in patients admitted to Bobo-Dioulasso Hospital over a 3 year-period. During this period, cryptococcal meningo-encephalitis was diagnosed in 36 individuals. The median age of the patients under study was 34.25 years. There was a male preponderance (24 males/12 females) in our report. Typical presentations were persistent headaches (27 cases/36), neck stiffness (16/36), altered consciousness (14/36), fever (12/36) and convulsions (9/36). Oral candidiasis coexisted with cryptococcal meningitis in 7 patients. HIV serology was positive in all patients. At diagnosis, lymphocytes counts were < 1500/mm3 in 66.66% patients. CSF examination with India ink helped to the diagnosis of cryptococcosis in all cases. Cryptococcus neoformans was associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae in 4 patients. 15/36 patients died within 1 to 29 days after admission. High mortality was related to delayed diagnosis. Cryptococcal meningitis highly contributes to mortality in HIV-infected patients in Burkina Faso and it may occur in patients not severely immunocompromised patients. A need exists to improve strategies for clinical management of AIDS patients in poor African countries.

• Authors: A Millogo, G A Ki-Zerbo, J B Andonaba, D Lankoandé, A Sawadogo, I Yaméogo, A B Sawadogo
• Journal: Bulletin de la Societe de pathologie exotique (1990) (Bull Soc Pathol Exot) Vol. 97 Issue 2 Pg. 119-21 (May 2004) ISSN: 0037-9085 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: La cryptococcose neuroméningée au cours de l'infection par le VIH au Centre hospitalier de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).
• PMID: 15255356 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (complications, diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology)
• Adult
• Age Distribution
• Burkina Faso (epidemiology)
• Candidiasis, Oral (epidemiology)
• Consciousness Disorders (microbiology)
• Female
• Fever (microbiology)
• Headache (microbiology)
• Hospital Mortality
• Hospitalization (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Immunocompromised Host
• Male
• Meningitis, Cryptococcal (complications, diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology)
• Middle Aged
• Needs Assessment
• Population Surveillance
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Seizures (microbiology)
• Sex Distribution
• Time Factors
• Urban Health (statistics & numerical data)