Operational Research for Cryptococcal antigen screening to improve ART survival
Dates
Start Date: 06/01/2012
End Date: 05/31/2016
This will be a phased-in, randomized trial design to evaluate the implementation of CRAG screening and pre-emptive antifungal therapy of HIV-infected persons entering ART outpatient treatment. Those who are ART eligible with a CD4=100 cells/L will have a serum CRAG performed by lateral flow assay. Those who are CRAG positive and asymptomatic will be treated with high dose fluconazole. After 6 months survival and cryptococcal meningitis free survival will be compared between those who are CRAG+ and CRAG negative.