Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

CRYPU
60319
Clinical Information: Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus
neoformans. The organism has been isolated from several sites in nature, particularly weathered pigeon
droppings. Infection is usually acquired primarily via the pulmonary route. Patients are often unaware of
any exposure history. Approximately half of the patients with symptomatic disease have a predisposing
immunosuppressive condition such as AIDS, steroid therapy, lymphoma, or sarcoidosis. Symptoms may
include fever, headache, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and cough In addition to the lungs, cryptococcal
infections frequently involve the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in patients infected with HIV.
Mortality in CNS cryptococcosis may approach 25% despite antibiotic therapy. Untreated CNS
cryptococcosis is invariably fatal. Disseminated disease may affect any organ system and usually occurs
in immunosuppressed individuals.
Useful For: Aiding in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis
Interpretation: The presence of cryptococcal antigen in any body fluid (serum or cerebrospinal fluid:
CSF) is indicative of cryptococcosis. Ninety-five percent of cryptococcal meningitis cases exhibit positive
latex agglutination in the CSF. Higher titers appear to correlate with more severe infections. Declining
titers may indicate regression of infection. However, monitoring titers to cryptococcal antigen should not
be used as a test of cure, as low-level titers may persist for extended periods of time following appropriate
therapy and the resolution of infection as measured by smear and culture.
Reference Values:
Negative
If positive, results are titered.
Clinical References: 1. Warren NG, Hazen KC: Candida, Cryptococcus, and other yeasts of medical
importance. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 7th edition. Edited by PR Murray. Washington, DC,
ASM Press, 1999, pp 1184-1199 2. Lu H, Zhou Y, Yin Y, et al: Cryptococcal antigen test revisited:
significance for cryptococcal meningitis therapy monitoring in a tertiary Chinese hospital. J Clin
Microbiol 2005 June;43(6):2989-2990
Cryptococcus Antigen, Urine
Clinical Information: Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus
neoformans. The organism has been isolated from several sites in nature, particularly weathered pigeon
droppings. Infection is usually acquired via the pulmonary route. Patients are often unaware of any
exposure history. Approximately half of the patients with symptomatic disease have a predisposing
immunosuppressive condition such as AIDS, steroid therapy, lymphoma, or sarcoidosis. Symptoms may
include fever, headache, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and cough. In addition to the lungs, cryptococcal
infections frequently involve the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in patients infected with HIV.
Mortality in CNS cryptococcosis may approach 25% despite antibiotic therapy. Untreated CNS
cryptococcosis is invariably fatal. Disseminated disease may affect any organ system and usually occurs
in immunosuppressed individuals.
Useful For: Aiding in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis
Interpretation: The presence of cryptococcal antigen in any body fluid is indicative of cryptococcosis.
Higher titers appear to correlate with more severe infections. Declining titers in urine or serum may
indicate regression of infection or response to therapy. However, monitoring titers to cryptococcal antigen
should not be used as a test of cure, as low level titers may persist for extended periods of time following
appropriate therapy and the resolution of infection. In addition to testing for cryptococcal antigen, patients
with presumed disease due to Cryptococcus neoformans should have clinical specimens (eg,
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) submitted for routine smear and fungal culture.
Reference Values:
Negative
Clinical References: Hazen KC, Howell SA: Candida, Cryptococcus, and other Yeasts of Medical
Importance. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 9th edition. Edited by PR Murray. Washington, DC,
ASM Press, 2007, pp 1762-1788
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