Cryptococcal Antigen Test - Epidemiology

What is the Cryptococcal Antigen Test?

The cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test is a diagnostic tool used to detect antigens from the Cryptococcus species, primarily Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. These fungi can cause cryptococcal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV/AIDS.

Why is it Important in Epidemiology?

The CrAg test plays a crucial role in public health surveillance and management of cryptococcal infections. Early detection and treatment are vital to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with cryptococcal meningitis. This test helps in early diagnosis, which is particularly important in regions with high HIV prevalence.

How is the Test Performed?

The CrAg test is typically performed on blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The most common methods are latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and lateral flow assay (LFA). Among these, the lateral flow assay is widely used due to its simplicity, quick turnaround time, and high sensitivity and specificity.

Who Should Be Tested?

Individuals who are at high risk for cryptococcal infection should be tested. This includes people with advanced HIV disease (CD4 count

Relevant Publications

The Role of Frequent Screening or Diagnostic Testing of Serum Cryptococcal Antigen in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Descriptive Epidemiology.

Issue Release: 2024

Tracking cryptococcal meningitis to monitor HIV program success during the Treat-All era: an analysis of national data in Botswana.

Issue Release: 2024

Cryptococcosis with pulmonary cavitation in an immunocompetent child: a case report and literature review.

Issue Release: 2024

Implementation of a rapid diagnostic assay package for cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and tuberculosis in people living with HIV in Paraguay.

Issue Release: 2024

First case of feline cryptococcosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Issue Release: 2024

Comparison of performances of laboratory methods in diagnosing pulmonary cryptococcosis in 1508 patients having lung biopsy tissues collected: a 6-year retrospective study.

Issue Release: 2024

Pulmonary cryptococcosis suspected due to inhalation of swallow excreta presenting with multiple infiltrative shadows.

Issue Release: 2024

A retrospective observational study of 1000 consecutive patients tested with the FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis panel: clinical diagnosis at discharge and microbiological findings.

Issue Release: 2024

Diagnostic Prediction Model for Tuberculous Meningitis: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

Destructive Cryptococcal Osteomyelitis Mimicking Tuberculous Spondylitis.

Issue Release: 2024

Establishment and methodological evaluation of a rapid detection method for Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii species complexes based on CRISPR-Cas12a technology.

Issue Release: 2024

The relationship between lung CT features and serum cryptococcal antigen titers in localized pulmonary cryptococcosis patients.

Issue Release: 2024

Isolated cryptococcal pleural effusion in a heart transplant recipient: A case report and literature review of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase levels.

Issue Release: 2024

Artificial intelligence-driven mobile interpretation of a semi-quantitative cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay.

Issue Release: 2024

The incidence of histoplasmosis and cryptococcal antigenemia among patients attending a large HIV clinic in Trinidad.

Issue Release: 2023

Disseminated cryptococcosis with gastrointestinal involvement and false-negative cryptococcal antigen testing due to postzone phenomenon: a case report and review of the literature.

Issue Release: 2023

Impact of prior cryptococcal antigen screening on in-hospital mortality in cryptococcal meningitis or fungemia among HIV-seropositive individuals in South Africa: a cross-sectional observational study.

Issue Release: 2023

Diagnostic accuracy of cryptococcal antigen test in pulmonary cryptococcosis: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Issue Release: 2023

Rapid antiretroviral therapy initiation in patients with advanced HIV disease: 6-month outcomes of an observational cohort evaluation in Lesotho.

Issue Release: 2023

Clinicoradiological Features of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in Immunocompetent Patients.

Issue Release: 2023

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