Strategies to reduce mortality and morbidity due to AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis in Latin America
AUTOR(ES)
Vidal, Jose E., Oliveira, Augusto C. Penalva de, Dauar, Rafi F., Boulware, David R.
FONTE
Braz J Infect Dis
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2013-06
RESUMO
Latin America is the region with the third most AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis infections globally. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced the number of infections; however, the number of deaths and the case-fatality rate continues to be unacceptable. In this review, we focus on the burden of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in Latin America and discuss potential strategies to reduce early mortality from Cryptococcus. In this review, we highlight the importance of: (1) earlier HIV diagnosis and HAART initiation with retention-in-care to avoid AIDS; (2) pre-HAART cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) screening with preemptive fluconazole treatment; (3) better diagnostics (e.g. CRAG testing); and (4) optimal treatment with aggressive management of intracranial pressure and induction therapy with antifungal combination. Implementation of these strategies can reduce cryptococcal-related deaths, improve care, and reduce healthcare costs.
