Phumzile Zuma1, Yogandree Ramsamy2,3, Koleka Mlisana2,4, Moherndran Archary1,5. 1. From the Department of Paediatrics and Children Health. 2. Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences. 3. Department of Medical Microbiology, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, National Health Laboratory Services, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. 4. National Health Laboratory Service, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa. 5. Department of Paediatrics and Children Health, King Edward VIII Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Describe the epidemiology of immunocompromised HIV-infected pediatric (children and adolescents ≤ 19 years) and adults (> 19 years) with positive serum cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay (CrAg-LFA) in KwaZulu-Natal. DESIGN: Retrospective review of laboratory-based database and clinical charts. METHODS: A review of the National Health Laboratory Services database of all serum CrAg-LFA performed in KwaZulu-Natal between June 2015 and December 2016 and comparison of the epidemiology of pediatric and adult patients was conducted. A reflex serum CrAg-LFA (IMMY CrAg-LFA) was performed on samples with CD4 counts < 100 cells/μL. Charts of all pediatric patients with a positive CrAg-LFA at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital were reviewed and 1-year outcome assessed. RESULTS: A total of 22,741 laboratory records were retrieved, and 1140 records were removed because of duplicate entries (1074) and insufficient data (64). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of positive CrAg-LFA in pediatrics and adults, respectively [40 (3.5%) versus 1194 (5.8%), P = 0.001]. The incidence of positive CrAg-LFA in Ethekwini district was 59 and 56 cases per 100,000 persons in adolescents 10-14 years and 15-19 years, respectively. Six of the 8 patients with available treatment history were on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with immune failure at the time of CrAg-LFA testing. CONCLUSIONS: Severe immune suppression in adolescents on ART is a risk factor for cryptococcal antigenemia. A concerted effort to timeously manage ART failure in adolescents with appropriate changing of ART regimens is urgently warranted.
OBJECTIVES: Describe the epidemiology of immunocompromised HIV-infected pediatric (children and adolescents ≤ 19 years) and adults (> 19 years) with positive serum cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay (CrAg-LFA) in KwaZulu-Natal. DESIGN: Retrospective review of laboratory-based database and clinical charts. METHODS: A review of the National Health Laboratory Services database of all serum CrAg-LFA performed in KwaZulu-Natal between June 2015 and December 2016 and comparison of the epidemiology of pediatric and adult patients was conducted. A reflex serum CrAg-LFA (IMMY CrAg-LFA) was performed on samples with CD4 counts < 100 cells/μL. Charts of all pediatric patients with a positive CrAg-LFA at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital were reviewed and 1-year outcome assessed. RESULTS: A total of 22,741 laboratory records were retrieved, and 1140 records were removed because of duplicate entries (1074) and insufficient data (64). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of positive CrAg-LFA in pediatrics and adults, respectively [40 (3.5%) versus 1194 (5.8%), P = 0.001]. The incidence of positive CrAg-LFA in Ethekwini district was 59 and 56 cases per 100,000 persons in adolescents 10-14 years and 15-19 years, respectively. Six of the 8 patients with available treatment history were on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with immune failure at the time of CrAg-LFA testing. CONCLUSIONS: Severe immune suppression in adolescents on ART is a risk factor for cryptococcal antigenemia. A concerted effort to timeously manage ART failure in adolescents with appropriate changing of ART regimens is urgently warranted.