COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INDIAN INK AND CULTURE AS DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS IN HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN GUAYAQUIL
Received: 19.09.2021; Revised: 28.10.2021, Accepted: 26.11.2021, Published Online: 28.12.2021
Dra. Rita García Calvo
Msc, médico. (Main Author), Universidad Católica Santiago De Guayaquil, emmydaniela21@hotmail.com, 0000-0003-1483-245X
Dra. Dora Hasang Morán
Msc. medico Infectologo. (Main Author), do_hasang@hotmail.com, 0000-0002-7393-124X
Lic. Nidia Alava Rengifo
Msc, nidia_alava@yahoo.es, 0000-0001-5388-2447
Lic. Jonathan Mendoza Villón
jon_1987pas@hotmail.com, 0000-0003-1351-2083
Dany Martínez Gómez
Msc, dany-lab2011@hotmail.com, 0000-0001-9233-6369
Dra. Rocío Alexandra Sánchez Rodríguez
dra.rociosanchez@gmail.com, 0000-0002-4924-5338
Abstract
Introduction: Cryptococcal meningitis is a serious mycosis caused by the fungus Cryptococcus, commonly associated with AIDS. Diagnostic screening includes direct examination with Chinese ink, culture, histopathological study, determination of capsular antigen, and detection by PCR technique, however, only the first two methods are performed in the institution under study, being culture the method of choice. OBJECTIVES: To know the sensitivity and specificity of the Chinese ink test compared to cerebrospinal fluid culture in the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis associated with HIV/AIDS, in patients treated at the Hospital of Infectious Diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analytical study was performed on the clinical records of patients containing mycological reports of Chinese stains and CSF cultures processed during 2019 and 2020. RESULTS: Ninety-six CSF samples were obtained in which Chinese ink and CSF mycological culture results were reported. India ink and culture had a sensitivity of 98 and 96% respectively, while specificity was 50% for India ink and 100% for culture. CONCLUSIONS: India ink is a highly sensitive, rapid and reliable method, however, it loses usefulness in disease follow-up as it does not distinguish between active or convalescent disease, where culture still has the last word.