Prevalência do antígeno criptocócico utilizando Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) no screening de pacientes com HIV/AIDS

Annually, cryptococcal meningitis causes approximately 15% of deaths related to AIDS. The cryptococcosis is a neglected disease. Nevertheless, it can be prevented by performing the screening by means of investigating the cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) and early treatment for a long period of detection or subclinical infection. Our study determined the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia taking into account the levels of CD4 lymphocytes and clinical symptoms. METHODS: All together, 109 patients with HIV / AIDS, agreed to participate in this study. Initially, there was a survey of patients\2019 socio-demographic data, in addition to clinical data from the medical record. The cryptococcal antigen test using Lateral Flow Assay (CrAg / LFA) in blood and urine was carried out in all patients included in the study, regardless of CD4 lymphocyte levels. Those who were CrAg positive for blood and urine underwent a lumbar puncture for CrAg assessment in the fluid RESULTS: From the 109 patients, 67% were male, 92% were from urban areas and 76% were from the state of Piaui. The average age was 35 years, 57% aged between 31-45 years old. About 49.5% made irregular use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), 18% correctly used the ART and 32.5% were treatment-naive patients. The prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia was 8.2%. From the patients tested positive for CrAg for blood and urine, 3.6% had CD4 < 100 cells/mm³, 58.7% had CD4 100-199 cells/mm³ and 37.7% had CD4 \2265 200 cells/mm³. The most common symptoms in patients with CrAg positive were headaches, fever and vomiting. CONCLUSION: CrAg / LFA allows a simple, fast and low cost test for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis and is recommended for use with serum, plasma, urine or fluid in symptomatic patients. The correct use of the antiretroviral therapy contributes to a reduction in morbidity and mortality of HIV / AIDS patients. Furthermore, CrAg / LFA have the potential to identify patients with asymptomatic infection who must receive prophylactic fluconazole