Misael González-Ibarra, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Juan M. Bello-López, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Clemente Cruz-Cruz, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Emilio M. Dúran-Manuel, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Erika Gómez-Zamora, Medical Directorate, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Yazmín E. Torres-Paz, Biological Sciences, Private Practice, Mexico City, Mexico
Liliana Nicolas-Sayago, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México; Department of Microbiology, Laboratorio de Investigación Clínica y Ambiental, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Mexico City, Mexico
Mónica A. Cureño-Díaz, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Verónica Fernández-Sánchez, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Miguel Á. Loyola-Cruz, Division of Research and Teaching, Hospital Juárez de México, Mexico City, Mexico
Background: Cryptococcosis is a mycotic infection with high mortality rates particularly associated with HIV patients. Objective: To describe the frequency of cryptococcosis in a cohort of patients with suspected meningitis at a large referral hospital in Mexico City. Methods: From January 2019 to December 2024, 100 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with suspected meningitis were processed using classical mycology techniques for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. The India ink contrast test was performed, and mycology culture was performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar for all samples; isolated colonies were seeded on Thermo Scientific™ Remel Birdseed agar. Results: 24 cases of cryptococcosis were detected in the study period, 83 % in male patients, and all cases had HIV infection. Conclusion: Cryptococcosis was the most frequent mycotic infection associated with meningitis in the male population with HIV in this referral hospital.
Keywords: Cryptococcus. Cryptococcosis. Cryptococcosis diagnosis.
