Clinical features and Outcomes of Cryptococcemia patients with and without HIV infection.

Background: The effects of cryptococcemia on patient outcomes in those with or without HIV remain unclear.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-nine cryptococcemia patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic characteristics, blood test results and outcome were compared between the two groups.

Results: The diagnosis time of Cryptococcus infection was 2.0(0-6.0) days for HIV-infected patients, 5.0 (1.5-8.0) days for HIV-uninfected patients (p = .008), 2.0 (1.0-6.0) days for cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients and 6.0 (5.0-8.0) days for non-CM patients (p < .001). HIV infection [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% confidence interval): 6.0(2.3-15.9)], CRP < 15 mg/L [AOR:3.7(1.7-8.1)) and haemoglobin > 110 g/L [AOR:2.5(1.2-5.4)] were risk factors for CM development. Forty-six (25.7%) patients died within 90 days. ICU stay [AOR:2.8(1.1-7.1)], hypoalbuminemia [AOR:2.7(1.4-5.3)], no anti-cryptococcal treatment [AOR:4.7(1.9-11.7)] and altered consciousness [AOR:2.4(1.0-5.5)] were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality in all patients. HIV infection did not increase the 90-day mortality of cryptococcemia patients when anti-Cryptococcus treatment was available. Non-Amphotericin B treatment [AOR:3.4(1.0-11.2)] was associated with 90-day mortality in HIV-infected patients, but age ≥ 50.0 years old [AOR:2.7(1.0-2.9)], predisposing disease [AOR:4.1(1.2-14.2)] and altered consciousness [AOR:3.7(1.1-12.9)] were associated with 90-day mortality in HIV-uninfected patients who accepted anti-Cryptococcus treatment.

Conclusion: HIV infection increased the incidence of CM rather than mortality in cryptococcemia patients. The predictive model was completely divergent in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients, suggesting that novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment algorithms are urgently needed.