Cryptococcosis in anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies-positive patients: a different clinical manifestation from HIV-infected patients.

Cryptococcosis in anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies-positive patients: a different clinical manifestation from HIV-infected patients. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2016 May 9; Authors: Chetchotisakd P, Anunnatsiri S, Nithichanon A, Lertmemongkolchai G Abstract Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is the most common feature in patients positive for anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies (IFN-γ Ab). Cryptococcus co-infects these patients. A retrospective, matched case-control study was conducted at Srinagarind Hospital between 1992 and 2013. We reviewed the charts of non-HIV-infected patients with cryptococcosis with disseminated NTM (case) and matched 2 HIV-infected patients (control) with cryptococcosis for each case. There were 16 cases and 32 controls. Among the 10 of 16 cased patients whose sera were available for testing, all were positive for IFN-γ Ab. Compared to controls, cases were significantly older, had longer duration of illness, and were less likely to present with meningitis but more likely to present with bone and/or joint, lung/pleura, and skin infections. Cases were significantly less likely to have positive culture/staining in the CSF and positive serum cryptococcal antigen in tested patients; but more likely to have positive culture/staining from pus and skin lesion(s). This is the first and the largest study of cryptococcosis in patients with disseminated NTM positive for IFN-γ Ab. The clinical manife...
Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Jpn J Infect Dis Source Type: research