Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation
10:04

Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation

Published on: January 12, 2016

9.4K

Fungal Burden and Raised Intracranial Pressure Are Independently Associated With Visual Loss in Human

Síle F Molloy1,2, Brad Ross1, Cecilia Kanyama3

  • 1Centre for Global Health, Institute of Infection and Immunity, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|May 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Severe visual loss impacts 16% of patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis. High cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure and fungal burden predict this severe vision impairment, affecting long-term outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis is a significant opportunistic infection.
  • Severe visual loss is a known complication, impacting patient prognosis and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify independent predictors of severe visual loss at presentation in patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
  • To understand the association between baseline clinical and microbiological factors and severe visual impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 472 patients with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
  • Assessment of baseline cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure and fungal burden.
  • Statistical analysis including adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and confidence intervals (CI) to determine independent associations.

Main Results:

  • 16% of patients presented with severe visual loss.
  • 46% of those with severe visual loss at presentation remained severely impaired at 4 weeks.
  • Elevated cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (≥40 cmH2O) (aOR, 2.56) and high fungal burden (>6.0 log10 colonies/mL) (aOR, 3.01) were independently associated with severe visual loss.

Conclusions:

  • High cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure and fungal burden are significant predictors of severe visual loss in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
  • These findings highlight the importance of early identification and management of these factors to potentially mitigate visual impairment.
Keywords:
HIVcryptococcal meningitisfungal burdenraised intracranial pressurevisual loss

More Related Videos

Size Matters: Measurement of Capsule Diameter in Cryptococcus neoformans08:24

Size Matters: Measurement of Capsule Diameter in Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: February 27, 2018

14.2K
A Thin-skull Window Technique for Chronic Two-photon In vivo Imaging of Murine Microglia in Models of Neuroinflammation12:07

A Thin-skull Window Technique for Chronic Two-photon In vivo Imaging of Murine Microglia in Models of Neuroinflammation

Published on: September 19, 2010

24.0K

Related Concept Videos

Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.0K
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...
221
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
450