Epidemiological and TNFα polymorphism evaluation in patients with cryptococcal meningitis treated at a referral hospital in North Brazil

INTRODUCTION:  The present study evaluated the epidemiology of cryptococcal meningitis and TNFα gene polymorphisms in patients at a reference hospital in northern Brazil.

METHODS:  Samples from 25 patients infected with Cryptococcus spp. were collected to confirm the infection and to analyze the TNFα gene polymorphisms.

RESULTS:  Cryptococcus neoformans was detected as the predominant etiological agent (100%) in HIV-positive patients. No genetic polymorphic changes were found.

CONCLUSIONS:  No correlation was observed between the analyzed TNFα polymorphisms and cryptococcal meningitis.

Keywords:
Cryptococcal meningitis; Genetic polymorphisms; Cerebrospinal fluid; TNFα