Cryptococcosis in children with AIDS

Clin Infect Dis. 1999 Feb;28(2):309-13. doi: 10.1086/515130.

Abstract

We compiled the clinical and immunologic features of Cryptococcus neoformans infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children from 1985 to 1996 in a retrospective case series. Thirty cases of cryptococcosis were identified. These children had a median age of 9.8 years, a median CD4+ cell count of 54/microL at the time of diagnosis, and either a culture positive for C. neoformans or cryptococcal antigen in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. Sixty-three percent of the cases occurred in children vertically infected with HIV and in children between 6 and 12 years of age. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of this pediatric cohort were similar to those of adults with AIDS and cryptococcosis. On the basis of a subset of the cases, a 10-year point prevalence of cryptococcosis among children with AIDS of approximately 1% was estimated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / physiopathology*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / immunology
  • Cryptococcosis / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents