Diagnosis of Cryptococcal Meningitis

Abstract

In three patients with chronic meningitis and repeatedly negative cultures cryptococcal antigen was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid by the latex agglutination test. The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was further supported by complete recovery after amphotericin B therapy in two patients and demonstration of cryptococci at autopsy in the third. Immunologic detection of cryptococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid or serum is rapid and is considered specific for cryptococcosis. In some patients, it may represent the only means of achieving an etiologic diagnosis during life.