The prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia in newly diagnosed HIV patients in a Southwest London cohort.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia in a UK HIV cohort and compare baseline characteristics of patients with and without cryptococcal antigenemia.

Methods: Stored sera were retrospectively tested for cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) among newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons with CD4 < 100 cells/μL, who presented to Croydon University and St George's Hospitals, London, between January 2004 and October 2010. We assessed risk factors for cryptococcal antigenemia and patient outcomes by extracting demographic and clinical information from medical records.