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Background <p>Cryptococcal infection remains a leading cause of mortality among HIV-1-positive individuals, particularly in regions with limited access to antiretroviral therapy and diagnostics. This study aimed to assess Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg) seroprevalence and its immune-virological correlates among ART-naïve and ART-experienced HIV-1 positive individuals.</p> Methods <p>This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to August 2024 at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Blood samples were analyzed for CD4 + T-cell counts using a Partec™ CyFlow analyzer, HIV-1 viral load using the COBAS<sup>®</sup> AmpliPrep/COBAS<sup>®</sup> TaqMan<sup>®</sup> Test, and CrAg detection with the Immy Latex-Crypto Antigen Lateral Flow Assay.</p> Results <p>Among 229 HIV-1 positive individuals, 72.5% were aged 15–20 years, and 69% were female. Most (68.6%) were ART-experienced, while 31.4% were ART-naïve. Severe immunosuppression (CD4 + &lt; 200 cells/mm³) was present in 64.6%, and 71.2% had viral loads &gt; 1,000 copies/mL. Cryptococcal infection (CI) prevalence was 10.04%. No significant link was found between CI and age or gender, but ART-naïve status, low CD4 + counts, and high viral loads were significantly associated with CI. ART-naïve individuals had higher viral loads (median 4.95 vs. 4.19 log10 copies/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.00). A stronger inverse correlation between CD4 + counts and viral load was observed in ART-experienced patients (<i>r</i> = -0.535).</p> Conclusions <p>These findings emphasize the necessity for routine Cryptococcal screening, particularly in ART-naïve and severely immunocompromised individuals, to facilitate timely interventions and improve clinical outcomes.</p>

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Sero-prevalence of cryptococcal antigen and its immune-virological correlates in HIV-1 positive individuals: a prospective cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月3日

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  • Bukhari Isah Shuaib,
  • Amina Momodu,
  • Fareedah Momodu,
  • Bumojo Hope Agada

摘要

Background

Cryptococcal infection remains a leading cause of mortality among HIV-1-positive individuals, particularly in regions with limited access to antiretroviral therapy and diagnostics. This study aimed to assess Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg) seroprevalence and its immune-virological correlates among ART-naïve and ART-experienced HIV-1 positive individuals.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to August 2024 at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Blood samples were analyzed for CD4 + T-cell counts using a Partec™ CyFlow analyzer, HIV-1 viral load using the COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® TaqMan® Test, and CrAg detection with the Immy Latex-Crypto Antigen Lateral Flow Assay.

Results

Among 229 HIV-1 positive individuals, 72.5% were aged 15–20 years, and 69% were female. Most (68.6%) were ART-experienced, while 31.4% were ART-naïve. Severe immunosuppression (CD4 + < 200 cells/mm³) was present in 64.6%, and 71.2% had viral loads > 1,000 copies/mL. Cryptococcal infection (CI) prevalence was 10.04%. No significant link was found between CI and age or gender, but ART-naïve status, low CD4 + counts, and high viral loads were significantly associated with CI. ART-naïve individuals had higher viral loads (median 4.95 vs. 4.19 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.00). A stronger inverse correlation between CD4 + counts and viral load was observed in ART-experienced patients (r = -0.535).

Conclusions

These findings emphasize the necessity for routine Cryptococcal screening, particularly in ART-naïve and severely immunocompromised individuals, to facilitate timely interventions and improve clinical outcomes.