Table 1.
Basic characteristics of patients with low CrAg LFA results
| Variables | Patients with CrAg titers of 1:10 (N = 51) | Patients with CrAg titers of 1:5 (N = 47) | Patients with CrAg titers of 1:2 (N = 54) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, median year (range) | 51 (21–74) | 51 (24–84) | 52.5 (20–88) |
| Sex, Female | 13 (25.5) | 22 (46.8) | 22 (40.7) |
| Predisposing factorsa | 15 (29.4) | 18 (38.3) | 23 (42.6) |
| Autoimmune diseases | 5 (9.8) | 7 (14.9) | 8 (14.8) |
| Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants administrations | 7 (13.7) | 5 (10.6) | 10 (18.5) |
| Haematological malignancy | 3 (5.9) | 3 (6.4) | 3 (5.6) |
| Lung cancer | 2 (3.9) | 2 (4.3) | 3 (5.6) |
| Type 2 diabetes mellitus | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.1) | 3 (5.6) |
| Decompensated liver cirrhosis | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.1) | 1 (2.1) |
| Signs and symptoms | |||
| Cough | 21 (41.2) | 16 (34.0) | 17 (31.5) |
| Shortness | 1 (2.0) | 1 (2.1) | 2 (3.7) |
| Haemoptysis | 2 (3.9) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (1.9) |
| Chest pain | 9 (17.6) | 4 (8.5) | 5 (9.3) |
| Fever | 7 (13.7) | 6 (12.8) | 8 (14.8) |
| Headache or dizziness | 6 (11.8) | 3 (6.4) | 6 (11.1) |
| Fatigue | 1 (1.9) | 5 (10.6) | 2 (3.7) |
| Abdominal distention | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.1) | 0 (0.0) |
| Diagnosisb | |||
| Proven | 12 (23.5) | 10 (21.3) | 7 (13.0) |
| Probable | 32 (62.7) | 24 (51.1) | 23 (42.6) |
| Possible | 7 (13.7) | 10 (21.3) | 17 (31.5) |
| Non-cryptococcosis | 0 (0.0) | 3 (6.4) | 7 (13.0) |
Data are presented as No. (%) unless otherwise indicated
Abbreviations: LFA lateral flow assay; CrAg cryptococcal antigen; CSF cerebrospinal fluid; NS no significant
aTwo of the 54 patients with predisposing factors were tested of low CrAg LFA titers in both serum and CSF
bThree patients were tested of low CrAg LFA titers in both serum and CSF. Patient 1 with a CrAg titer of 1:5 in serum and 1:10 in CSF was diagnosed as proven pulmonary cryptococcosis along with proven cryptococcal meningitis. Patient 2 with CrAg titer of 1:5 in serum and 1:10 in CSF was diagnosed as probable pulmonary cryptococcosis along with proven cryptococcal meningitis. Patient 3 with CrAg titer of 1:5 in serum and 1:2 in CSF was diagnosed as possible cryptococcal infection in both lung and CNS