Is HIV-associated tuberculosis a risk factor for the development of cryptococcal disease?

AIDS. 2010 Feb 20;24(4):612-4. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32833547f7.

Abstract

Cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculosis are leading causes of mortality in patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in Africa. We hypothesized that a history of tuberculosis may predispose to the development of cryptococcal meningitis and examined the association using multivariate logistic regression in a cohort of patients initiating antiretroviral therapy. History of pulmonary tuberculosis was independently associated with the development of cryptococcal meningitis (odds ratio = 6.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.3-32.7) after adjustment for covariates, including CD4 cell counts. A number of potential mechanisms may underlie this association.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / virology
  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / etiology*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / virology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • South Africa
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / virology