[Cryptococcosis: presentation of 26 cases]

Cryptococcosis is more frequently observed since the appearance of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS has modified the clinical and evolutive forms of the disease. This study reviews the changes produced in the infection from the context of AIDS.

The present is a retrospective study (1985-1990) including patients presenting: 1) a positive latex agglutination test (serum or spinal fluid) or 2) a Sabouraud culture positive for cryptococcus. Clinical histories were revised collecting clinical, radiologic, analytic, therapeutic and evolutive data.

Twenty-six patients (21 males) were included in the study. Twenty patients had the human immunodeficiency virus. The clinical picture was: 22 cases with cryptococcal meningitis (13 with hematogenous participation), 3 with pulmonary cryptococcosis and one with disseminated cryptococcosis without meningeal involvement. The patients with AIDS had: greater frequency of positive hemocultures, higher serologic titers and fewer with the meningeal syndrome. The number of T4 lymphocytes was lower than 150 elements/ml in AIDS patients. In 17 patients treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine was administered, 5 received amphotericin B and two fluconazole and two did not receive the above since they had not been diagnosed alive. There were 6 deaths and 10 relapses in 6 AIDS patients and none in the remaining patients.

The incidence of cryptococcosis has increased as a consequence of AIDS. In these patients the disease occurs in advanced stages of immunodeficiency and frequently in disseminated, severe and paucisymptomatic forms. Treatment is usually effective although a maintenance therapy is required to avoid relapse.