A B Khyriem1, S Sujatha, A K Das, S C Parija. 1. Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry-605 006, India.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare a commercially available Latex agglutination test and an in house co-agglutination test for the detection of cryptococcal antigen in cases of chronic meningitis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 150 cases of chronic meningitis were tested for the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans by modified India ink, culture and antigen detection by latex agglutination test (LAT) and co-agglutination (Co-A) test. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases were positive by one or more tests employed. Antigen detection in CSF by LAT and Co-A was found to be most sensitive (94.9%) while culture was the least (25.6%). Of the two antigen detection methods, Co-A was found to be more sensitive than the LAT, the difference being statistically significant. Initial CSF antigen titres did not have any prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: Co-A for antigen detection is an inexpensive and useful adjunct to direct microscopy and culture for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis, though its usefulness in prognosis needs to be evaluated further.
PURPOSE: To compare a commercially available Latex agglutination test and an in house co-agglutination test for the detection of cryptococcal antigen in cases of chronic meningitis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 150 cases of chronic meningitis were tested for the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans by modified India ink, culture and antigen detection by latex agglutination test (LAT) and co-agglutination (Co-A) test. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases were positive by one or more tests employed. Antigen detection in CSF by LAT and Co-A was found to be most sensitive (94.9%) while culture was the least (25.6%). Of the two antigen detection methods, Co-A was found to be more sensitive than the LAT, the difference being statistically significant. Initial CSF antigen titres did not have any prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: Co-A for antigen detection is an inexpensive and useful adjunct to direct microscopy and culture for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis, though its usefulness in prognosis needs to be evaluated further.
Authors: Ulka Kamble; K H Dheeresh; Kakasaheb Bhosale; M B Indu; Brijesh Sharma; Anuradha Chowdhary Journal: Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS Date: 2021-05-03