Impact of HIV infection on meningitis in Harare, Zimbabwe: a prospective study of 406 predominantly adult patients

Abstract

All patients suspected to have meningitis had a high HIV sero positivity irrespective of whether they were later confirmed to have meningitis or not. CM was the most common type of meningitis seen. In-hospital mortality was high irrespective of the cause of meningitis.

Role of Capsule and Interleukin-6 in Long-Term Immune Control ofCryptococcus neoformansInfection by Specifically Activated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

“…In particular, over the past 2 decades, cryptococcosis has emerged as a very common opportunistic infection in patients with late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, especially in Southern and East Africa and Southeast Asia (7,8,14). Unfortunately, treatment remains unsatisfactory (6,17,29), and new immunotherapeutic management strategies, based on an understanding of the mechanisms of protective human immunity to cryptococcal infection, are urgently needed.…”

Cryptococcal neorformans Antigenemia among HIV-Infected Patients in North Eastern Nigeria

“…These findings are similar to those reported by Jacinta and colleagues in Uganda as well as Micol et al in Cambodia. Low BMI and Anaemia (i.e., low haemoglobin concentration) may be due to malnutrition, which in turn predisposes to a dysfunctional immune system, which could have also predisposed patients to the risk of cryptococcal infection [37,38]. The following findings have been reported in malnourished HIV-infected patients: suppression of antigen specific arms of immune system and several generalized host defence mechanisms, including decreased T-cell primary antibody response, memory response and atrophy of lymph tissues.…”

Bacterial and fungal etiologies of meningeal irritation syndrome in an emergency department

“…The choice of molecule depends largely on the local epidemiology and the pharmacology of available agents. Infectious meningitis are particularly challenging in developing countries due firstly to poor-socioeconomic conditions that facilitate the spread of the pathogens and poor access to care, and secondly to the HIV epidemic which has changed the pattern of meningitis in African countries in particular (Hakim et al, 2000;Schutte et al, 2000;Traore et al, 2014). In these countries, meningitis remains one of the most serious infections occurring in individuals with HIV infection.…”