Multisite Validation of Cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay and Quantification by Laser Thermal Contrast

Abstract

This assay is a major advance in the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Cryptococcal Antigenemia in Anti-Retroviral Naive Hiv Infected Patients

“…[9][10][11] Detection of cryptococcal antigen in serum can be used as a presumptive diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. 12 An overall prevalence of 15% of cryptococcal antigenemia was observed in our study. Studies from Nigeria (12.7%), 13 Ethiopia (14.2%), 14 Congo (15.2%), 15 Bangkok (12.9%) 16 and Uganda (19%) 17 revealed the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia was similar to our study.…”

Rapid detection of cryptococcal antigen by a flow assay

“…Current diagnostic procedures of cryptococcosis, whether direct or indirect, have limitations. They require both a particular expertise to avoid false positive and false negative results (Indian ink staining) or a prolonged preparation time (centrifugation and/or pronase incubation) to reach adequate sensitivity (1). This latter limitation is overcome with the CrAg Lateral Flow Assay IMMY CrAg ® LFA, that is a rapid and easy to use assay.…”

“…Typically, cryptococcosis is diagnosed by testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by culture, India ink microscopy, or cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) (1,2). CrAg can be detected by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) methods or by agglutination of sensitized latex particles (LA).…”

“…CrAg can be detected by enzyme immunoassays (EIA) methods or by agglutination of sensitized latex particles (LA). However, these methods require a preliminary 15-min centrifugation; for EIA assay is also mandatory a 45-min procedure (sample incubation, enzyme conjugation, substrate and stop solution), while LA necessitates an incubation step with pronase enzyme (1). Moreover, the test may be difficult to read, notably in case of weak agglutination (8).…”

Management of HIV-associated cryptococcal disease in South Africa

“…A simple cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) lateral flow assay (LFA) is now commercially available for more accurate, rapid and potentially point-of-care diagnosis of CM and asymptomatic antigenaemia. [7,8] New information is also available on a CrAg screenand-treat intervention to prevent CM-related deaths, including costeffectiveness data. [9] Recently published clinical trials have highlighted the most efficacious antifungal agents for induction-phase treatment and optimal timing of ART after a first diagnosis of CM.…”