Blood Test Leads to Early Diagnosis of Cryptococcosis

A rapid blood test leads to early diagnosis of cryptococcosis by detecting the cryptoccocal antigen.

Cryptococcosis, a fungal meningitis, is a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries. Early identification and treatment is essential to combat the disease; a late diagnosis means antifungal therapy will likely fail in resource-limited countries.

The new, rapid blood test is known as the CrAg lateral flow assay uses an antibody developed by Tom Kozel, professor of microbiology of the University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSM; Reno, NV, USA) The test was developed through collaboration between Prof. Kozel and Sean Bauman, president and CEO of Immuno-Mycologics (IMMY; Norman, OK, USA). It is a point-of-care (POC) dipstick test requiring no equipment.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD, USA) cleared the new diagnostic test that will help save the lives of AIDS patients stricken with cryptococcosis. The IMMY product is now available in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, and the FDA approval means that it will be available globally.

Current diagnostic tests for cryptococcosis are effective, but are not suitable for resource-limited settings. The tests require technical expertise, special laboratory equipment, and refrigeration for storage. All of these elements are difficult to come by for a rural clinic in a resource-limited country that lacks reliable electricity and proper infrastructure.

Related Links:
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Immuno-Mycologics
US Food and Drug Administration