What is Cryptococcal Antigen Test?

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Cryptococcal Antigen Test used for?

The test is used to diagnose the presence of infection in your blood or cerebrospinal fluid that could be present in the brain or spinal cord. The antigen test may help identify the Cryptococcal antigen a few days before the appearance of symptoms. This will help initiate the treatment and avoid further complications.

How to understand the results of a Cryptococcal Antigen Test?

Positive Cryptococcal Antigen Test results may indicate the presence of fungus or infection in the blood. If the infection is found in the cerebrospinal fluid, you are likely to develop cerebral meningitis. Meningitis is a disease of the brain caused due to inflammation of the fluid in the membranes surrounding your brain.

Why do I need a Cryptococcal Antigen Test?

The Cryptococcal test is a vital investigation that may help diagnose the infection before it develops into a life-threatening disease. It includes meningitis. The symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, vomiting, disoriented speech and confusion, stiffness of the neck and sensitivity to light. The presence of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) shows a high risk of meningitis.

What happens during the Cryptococcal Antigen Test?

The test aims to identify the presence of the Cryptococcal antigen, denoted as “CrAg”, which indicates the infection in your blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The test may detect the Cryptococcal antigen around twenty-two days before the symptoms develop in your body.

What is the latex agglutination test for Cryptococcal antigen?

The Cryptococcus Antigen Latex Agglutination Test (CALAT) is a procedure that helps identify the presence of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) in one’s body. Antigen detection by latex agglutination test is more sensitive compared to other methods. It helps with the early detection of infection. This helps in early treatment and improves the prognosis. Therefore it is a prominent and preferred investigation for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis.

What does positive Cryptococcal Antigen Test results mean?

A positive antigen test result indicates the presence of the Cryptococcal antigen in your blood or cerebrospinal fluid. It also indicates a higher risk of meningitis. It may also indicate that the patient could be immunocompromised. However, the test results should be correlated with the other clinical findings.

What does the Cryptococcal Antigen Test detect?

The test detects a Cryptococcal infection and indicates the presence of Cryptococcus in the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The advantage of this test is that it helps detect the infections a few days before symptoms of meningitis develop.

How should I prepare for the test?

There is no special preparation needed for the Cryptococcal Antigen Test. There is no fasting required, and the procedure is more or less the same as any blood investigation procedure. A blood sample is drawn from your vein in the arm and taken for testing.

What are the signs and symptoms of Cryptococcosis?

The symptoms may include fever, chest pain, cough, headache, confusion, nausea, blurred vision, and weakness. Swelling of glands without any infection may be another sign. It may also include excessive sweating, disoriented speech, stiffening of neck and skin rashes.

Are there any risks?

Cryptococcus may trigger pneumonia that can spread to other parts of your body, even the brain - resulting in meningitis. If you don’t receive proper and timely medical attention, it can be life-threatening.

You are just a click away if your doctor has prescribed a Cryptococcal antigen test. Book an  appointment or get a free second opinion at Yashoda Hospitals today!