A criptococose em pacientes com HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and infects thousands of people around the world. The infection caused by this virus allowed infection by opportunistic agents such as the Cryptococcus genus causing cryptococcosis, a fungal disease directly correlated with HIV infection. The species C. neoformans and C. gattii are the ones that most affect the human organism, and are acquired by inhalation of fungal propagules. The epidemiology of this fungus is due to its universal distribution, prevalent in subtropical and tropical climates. It is a fungus with great virulence and initially reaches the lungs and can settle in other organs, such as the central nervous system, being the most severe form of the disease, leading several individuals to death. Diagnosis is performed by methods such as India ink (direct examination), serology, culture, cytology and histology. Cryptococcosis is more prevalent in African countries, considering the high rate of immunocompromised people, but there are numerous reports of infected people worldwide, such as North America, European continent and even Brazil. There are several records of the disease in the Brazilian states, including in the state of Minas Gerais. Treatment of these individuals is performed by administration of amphotericin B, gold standard in the treatment of severe cryptococcosis, as in the case of meningoencephalitis. Permanent and constant actions should be employed in the monitoring and treatment of individuals affected by cryptococcosis, favoring their better survival, helping to reduce symptoms