College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (CoVAB)
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Browsing College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity (CoVAB) by Author "Abalo, Silvia Edinah."
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ItemPrevalence of cryptococcal antigens in HIV patients attending Namungona Health Centre IV, in Kampala District(Makerere University, 2026) Abalo, Silvia Edinah.Cryptococcosis is a severe fungal infection caused by inhaling encapsulated yeasts, primarily Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii, with clinical presentations typically involving the lungs or Central nervous system. It primarily acts as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with advanced HIV/AIDS but can also affect hosts. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigens in HIV patients with a CD4 less than 500 and ≥500 and to determine the association of Crag positivity and CD4 count attending Namungona Health Centre IV, Kampala District. A total of 90 samples were worked on by carrying out the CrAg Lateral Flow Assay which is a dipstick test. The collected data was sorted, edited, cleaned and later captured for analysis to obtain descriptive statistics used to interpret results. Prevalence of Cryptococcosis was inclined to socio-demographic factors such as Age, Marital Status, Sex, Residence, Occupation, level of Education. There was a good response to testing CD4 count with 70% carrying it out every after three months and 30% every after 6months and also carrying out Serun Crag test with patients whose CD4 count is less than 500, and good response to ART therapy. Therefore, there was a low prevalence of Cryptococcal antigens in HIV patients attending Namungona Health Centre 1V. The study recommends continuous CD4 count and ART therapy in HIV patients and early diagnosis using the CrAg lateral assay test when there is a CD4 of less than 500cells/ul.