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Cryptococcosis in HIV-AIDS patients from Southern Brazil: Still a major problem
L B da Silva1, D Bock2, G B Klafke2
1Mycology Laboratory of Faculty of Medicine (FAMED), Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Program Post-Graduation in Health Sciences (PPGCS - FAMED-FURG), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Cryptococcosis is a significant AIDS-defining illness in Brazil. This study highlights its high mortality and the need for increased investment in managing this opportunistic infection among HIV-AIDS patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans causes opportunistic infections, leading to approximately 15% mortality in AIDS patients.
- Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, reports the highest national HIV/AIDS rates in cities over 100,000 population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical and epidemiological profile of cryptococcosis.
- To analyze cryptococcosis in HIV-AIDS patients at a South Brazil reference center over seven years.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of cryptococcosis cases.
- Data collected from January 2010 to December 2016 at the University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande (UH-FURG).
Main Results:
- Seventy cases of cryptococcosis were diagnosed, accounting for 2.1%–8.1% of annual HIV hospitalizations.
- Neurocryptococcosis was the primary manifestation; 40% of patients had cryptococcosis as their HIV-defining condition.
- Over half of patients (53%) died during hospitalization, with a mean survival of 82 days.
Conclusions:
- Cryptococcosis is a critical AIDS-defining disease in Southern Brazil.
- Urgent investment is needed to mitigate the impact of this opportunistic mycosis in HIV-AIDS patients.
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