Cells predict HIV link with meningitis

Cells in blood that can forecast whether people with HIV are likely to develop fungal meningitis have been pinpointed by experts.

Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University explained that Cryptococcus neoformans, which is a major cause of fungal meningitis, is present in most people but is more likely to affect those who are HIV positive.

Areas such as sub-Saharan Africa are most severely affected by this form of meningitis due to a lack of access to antiretroviral therapy.

Dr Liise-anne Pirofski and her colleagues wrote in the Journal of Infectious Diseases that predictions on the issue can be made by counting the number of immune cells called IgM.

"We were astounded to find a profound difference in the level of these IgM memory B cells between the HIV-infected groups," she said.

"The HIV-infected people with fungal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans had much lower levels of these cells."

Fungal meningitis affects more than 900,000 people with HIV around the globe.

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