Screening and Treatment to Prevent Cryptococcal Meningitis
Screening and Treatment to Prevent Cryptococcal Meningitis
Although limited, the body of evidence about cryptococcal antigen screening and early treatment with fluconazole suggests that the intervention is likely to have a significant impact on preventing CM and death in persons with AIDS if implemented well. This summary of evidence may be useful to national HIV/AIDS programs considering implementing cryptococcal antigen screen and treat programs and may provide background for the design of future studies of cryptococcal screen and treat effectiveness. Continued research is needed to quantify the effectiveness of screening, examine optimal fluconazole dosing and duration for treatment of isolated cryptococcal antigenemia, and identify best practices for implementation of a screening program in various settings.
Conclusions
Although limited, the body of evidence about cryptococcal antigen screening and early treatment with fluconazole suggests that the intervention is likely to have a significant impact on preventing CM and death in persons with AIDS if implemented well. This summary of evidence may be useful to national HIV/AIDS programs considering implementing cryptococcal antigen screen and treat programs and may provide background for the design of future studies of cryptococcal screen and treat effectiveness. Continued research is needed to quantify the effectiveness of screening, examine optimal fluconazole dosing and duration for treatment of isolated cryptococcal antigenemia, and identify best practices for implementation of a screening program in various settings.