Cytologic Diagnosis of <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>in HIV-Positive Patients

Cryptococcosis

“…Other fungal stains such as Calcofluor, which binds fungal chitin, or Gomori methenamine silver, which stains the fungal cell wall, are also used to identify the organism from clinical specimens. 2,109 …”

Cryptococcosis

“…Histopathological staining of centrifuged CSF sediment is more sensitive for rapid diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis than the India ink method [24]. Peritoneal fluid from chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, seminal fluid, bronchial wash, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can also be used for cytology preparations in the diagnosis of cryptococcal infections, whereas India ink preparations from these body fluids are difficult to interpret [25,26]. Fine needle aspiration for cytology of peripheral lymph nodes, adrenal glands, or vitreous aspiration; percutaneous transthoracic biopsy under real-time ultrasound guidance; or video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy on pulmonary nodules, masses, or infiltrative lesions can be used for obtaining tissues for cytology/histopathology [27].…”

“…A variety of positive staining methods have been described to demonstrate the yeast cells in tissue or fluids, ranging from the nonspecific Papanicolaou or hematoxylin and eosin stains to the more specific fungal stains such as Calcofluor, which binds fungal chitin, or Gomori methenamine silver (GMS), which stains the fungal cell wall [2,25] (Fig. 15.6).…”