Journal of medical microbiology
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The aim of this paper was to determine the correlation between serum cryptococcal antigen and a diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in the immunocompetent cohort. A retrospective multicentre analysis of immunocompetent patients diagnosed and treated for cryptococcal meningitis between January 2000 and December 2017 was performed. Sixty-seven of the 143 cases of cryptococcosis occurred in immunocompetent patients. ⋯ The relative risk of meningitis with a serum cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) >1 : 64 was 1.8 (95 % CI: 1.15-2.82). This study demonstrates a clear correlation between serum cryptococcal antigen titre and meningitis. While the serum titre is not definitive for meningitis, in resource-limited settings or cases where lumbar puncture may be contraindicated, this evidence may aid diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic decisions.
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Zika virus infections have recently been reported in many dengue-endemic areas globally. Both dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) virus are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, raising the possibility of mixed infections in both vector and host. We evaluated DENV and ZIKV prevalence in human and vector samples in Kolkata, a DENV-endemic city. ⋯ Both host and vector samples showed absence of ZIKV but high prevalence of DENV. The high rate of infection of larvae with DENV is suggestive of trans-ovarial transmission that could contribute to the surge of human infections during each post-monsoon season. It would be important to guard against false positives using the available Zika-reporting primer sets.
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Influenza A virus (FluA), influenza B virus (FluB) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illnesses increase hospitalizations during seasonal epidemics. ⋯ Use of Direct Flu/RSV provides results rapidly, which leads to more appropriate use of oseltamivir. The ease of use of this assay and quick TAT allows for prompt decision-making, which is essential for patient care and effective disease control during the influenza season.
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Influenza viruses are characterised by high variability, which makes them able to cause annual epidemics. The aim of this study is to determine the antigenic and genetic characteristics of influenza viruses circulating in Bulgaria during the 2016/2017 season. ⋯ The results of this study confirm the genetic variability of circulating influenza viruses, particularly A(H3N2), and the need for continued antigenic and molecular surveillance.