Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
08:54

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds

Published on: February 14, 2018

20.1K

Cryptococcal meningitis: epidemiology and therapeutic options

Derek J Sloan1, Victoria Parris1

  • 1Tropical and infectious Disease Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.

Clinical Epidemiology
|May 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcal meningitis is a major global health threat, especially in low-income nations. Improving access to essential antifungal treatments is crucial to reduce high mortality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis is a significant cause of illness and death globally.
  • High-risk populations include those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and individuals on immunosuppressive therapy.
  • The disease disproportionately affects middle- and low-income countries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the global burden of cryptococcal meningitis.
  • To emphasize the challenges in accessing effective treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • To underscore the need for improved therapeutic strategies and management protocols.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cryptococcal meningitis epidemiology and treatment.
  • Analysis of treatment phases: induction, consolidation, and maintenance.
  • Discussion of drug availability and accessibility issues.

Main Results:

  • Effective induction therapy relies on amphotericin B and flucytosine, often unavailable in high-burden regions.
  • Lack of access to potent fungicidal drugs contributes to unacceptably high mortality rates.
  • Management of cryptococcal antigenemia and timely antiretroviral therapy are critical for HIV-infected patients.

Conclusions:

  • Wider access to effective antifungal treatments is urgently needed to improve patient outcomes.
  • Addressing treatment accessibility in low-resource settings is paramount.
  • Integrated management strategies, including antiretroviral therapy, are essential for combating cryptococcal meningitis.
Keywords:
HIVantifungal therapyantiretroviral therapycryptococcosisimmune reconstitution inflammatory syndromeimmunosuppression

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

4.5K
Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks09:18

Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks

Published on: December 2, 2022

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
780
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to...
119
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
16
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
12
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
984
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
191