Increased mortality among HIV infected patients with cryptococcal antigenemia in Guinea-Bissau

Cryptococcal antigenemia may precede development of cryptococcal meningitis and death among patients with advanced HIV infection. Among 200 retrospectively and randomly selected ART-naïve patients with CD4 counts < 100 cells/μl from Guinea-Bissau, 20 (10%) had a positive cryptococcal antigen test. Self-reported headache and fever were predictors of a positive test, while cryptococcal antigenemia was a strong predictor of death within the first year of follow-up, MRR 2.22 (95% CI: 1.15-4.30). Screening for cryptococcal antigenemia should be implemented for patients with advanced HIV in Guinea-Bissau. Pre-emptive anti-fungal therapy should be initiated prior to ART-initiation if the screening is positive.