Clinical Presentations, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Cryptococcal Meningitis Among Patients Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Attending Clinic at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Clinical Presentations, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Cryptococcal Meningitis Among Patients Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Attending Clinic at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania. - Mwanza, Tanzania | Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] | 2024. - 35 Pages Includes References
Abstract:
Background: Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common lethal fungal infection in patients with HIV/AIDS worldwide. It accounts for more than 22% of HIV/AIDS-related mortality in Africa. Therefore, screening and early anti-fungal treatment are important for reducing deaths caused by Cryptococcal meningitis. We conducted research to provide updated information regarding Cryptococcal meningitis following initiation of prophylactic medications.
Method: A retrospective cross-sectional hospital-based study was done among newly diagnosed patients with HIV/AIDS aged >18 years who attend clinic at BMC. Sociodemographic and clinical information were collected using a structured checklist
Results: Among 141 patients who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS only 4(2.84%) were diagnosed with CM. All patients diagnosed with CM were female, had CD4 cell count of <200cells/mm3 and had poor adherence to ART.
Conclusion: This study reports low prevalence of CM among patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at BMC but there is high CM associated mortality, even with use of Amphotericin B based therapy, fluconazole and Flucytosine. Therefore, there is a need of evaluating and reviewing the treatment guidelines used at our clinical setting to help reduce the mortality.
Wurzburg Road 35, Premises, Post Code: 33102 | P. O. Box 1464 Mwanza, Tanzania | Phone: (255) 28-298-3384 | Fax: (255) 28-298-3386 | Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz | Website: www.bugando.ac.tz.
--Community Medicine--Internal Medicine --Microbiology & Immunology