Cryptococcal pneumonia in AIDS: is cryptococcal meningitis preceded by clinically recognizable pneumonia?
Article Abstract:
Cryptococcal infection is frequently undiagnosed in HIV patients while still in the lungs. High mortality rates have been reported among AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis so early diagnosis and treatment is important. Of 18 AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis whose medical records were reviewed, 14 (78%) had respiratory symptoms during a 4-month period before meningitis appeared. This compares to nine (50%) at time of diagnosis and 25% in four months following the diagnosis. Symptoms prior to diagnosis included fever, night sweats, cough and labored breathing. Pulmonary infections of unexplained origin were also seen in some patients months before diagnosis and onset of central nervous system symptoms. Serum cryptococcal antigen titers and staining of lung tissue should be taken when a patient has symptoms of pulmonary cryptococcal pneumonia.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1995
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Incidence proportion of and risk factors for AIDS patients diagnosed with HIV dementia, central nervous system toxoplasmosis, and cryptococcal meningitis
Article Abstract:
The most common central nervous system (CNS) complications of AIDS may be HIV dementia, CNS toxoplasmosis and cryptococcal meningitis. HIV dementia is a condition characterized by mental deterioration, including memory loss, impaired judgment and cognition, and personality changes. CNS toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection. Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the brain or spinal cord membranes. Researchers reviewed the medical records of 487 AIDS patients and found that 35% of them had been diagnosed with one of these CNS complications. The estimated incidence proportions within one and two years of AIDS diagnosis were similar for all three conditions. The risk of CNS complications appears to increase substantially with time after an AIDS diagnosis. HIV dementia was associated with older age at AIDS diagnosis and injection drug use.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1995
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Epidemiology of AIDS dementia complex in Europe
Article Abstract:
The risk of AIDS dementia complex (ADC) may increase with increased intravenous drug use, age, and reduced CD4+ cell count, and may decrease temporarily with zidovudine treatment. ADC is characterized by the loss of intellectual or motor abilities in advanced HIV disease. Researchers reviewed medical records of 6,548 people diagnosed with AIDS between 1979 and 1989. ADC was present in 4.5% of the people at the time of AIDS diagnosis, and developed in 7.8% of the people after AIDS diagnosis. The risk of having ADC was higher in women than in men, and higher in intravenous drug users than in other populations. Statistical analysis suggested that zidovudine use decreased the risk of developing ADC after diagnosis by about 40%, but this risk reduction was only present during the first 18 months of therapy.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1996
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