The Clinical Value Of Cerebrospinal Fluid In Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and its varieties ,and is the most commom fungal infection in central nervous system. The incidence of infections caused by the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans has risen markedly over the past 20 years as a result of the HIV epidemic and increasing use of immunosuppressive therapies .It is hard to diagnosis in early state ,so the mortality of cryptococcal meningitis remains high ,and cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infection in patients. Despite advances in antifungal therapy, the acute mortality rate remains between 10 and 25% in medically advanced countries , and at least one-third of patients with cryptococcal meningitis who receive appropriate therapy will still experience mycologic and/or clinical failure . It is very important to give an early diagnosis ,and lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid is a key tool in the diagnosis. Proper evaluation of CSF is important for the diagnosis , disease evaluation and prediction. In this article, glucose and protein levels, cell counts and differential, cytokines and 14-3-3protein were reviewed.