Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
The present study evaluated the epidemiology of cryptococcal meningitis and TNFα gene polymorphisms in patients at a reference hospital in northern Brazil.
METHODS:
Samples from 25 patients infected with Cryptococcus spp. were collected to confirm the infection and to analyze the TNFα gene polymorphisms.
RESULTS:
Cryptococcus neoformans was detected as the predominant etiological agent (100%) in HIV-positive patients. No genetic polymorphic changes were found.
CONCLUSIONS:
No correlation was observed between the analyzed TNFα polymorphisms and cryptococcal meningitis.
Keywords:
Cryptococcal meningitis; Genetic polymorphisms; Cerebrospinal fluid; TNFα