Study Status: Active, not recruiting
Recruit Status: Active, not recruiting
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: The CryptoART Study: Decreasing Mortality Associated With Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa Through Early Detection and Prevention of Cryptococcal Disease
Brief Summary:
The study will determine if the initiation of a 'screen and treat' program for cryptococcal disease among HIV positive individuals decreases morbidity and mortality among individuals with CD4 count < 100 cells/mm3. The study will screen individuals who are asymptomatic for CM and are either ART naïve or ART experienced with CD4 count < 100 cells/mm3.
The introduction of an cheap, easy to use point of care diagnostic test the lateral flow assay will facilitate rapid diagnosis of cryptococcal disease in resource limited settings. The investigators will determine the efficacy of the lateral flow assay in identifying latent and asymptomatic cryptococcal disease. The investigators will determine the efficacy of the test in detecting disease in readily available body fluids such as urine and whole blood obtained via finger-stick method. The investigators will also determine the cost effectiveness of a screen and treat approach for cryptococcal disease in Zimbabwe.
The investigators also wish to understand why some individuals with low CD4 counts reactivate cryptococcal disease and screen positive for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) while others with similar levels of immunocompromised do not.