MEDizzy - An HIV-positive patient with a CD4 count of 110/μL who is

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Infection causing diseases 2

An HIV-positive patient with a CD4 count of 110/μL who is not taking any medications presents to an urgent care center with complaints of a headache for the past week. He also notes nausea and intermittently blurred vision. Examination is notable for normal vital signs without fever but mild papilledema. Head CT does not show dilated ventricles. What is the defnitive diagnostic test for this patient?

ExplanationThe definitive diagnostic test for this patient is: D. Serum cryptococcal antigen testing. Given the patient's HIV-positive status, low CD4 count, and presenting symptoms of headache, nausea, blurred vision, and papilledema, there is a high suspicion for cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in individuals with HIV, particularly those with low CD4 counts. Serum cryptococcal antigen testing is the preferred diagnostic test for cryptococcal meningitis. It detects the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans antigen in the serum, which is a key marker for the diagnosis. A positive result confirms the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis.