Comparative evaluation of cryptococcal latex tests

One hundred and seven specimens (24 CSF and 83 sera) from 90 patients were tested for the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans antigen using the Fairfield Hospital in-house latex agglutination technique and the IMMY and Meridian commercial latex agglutination kits. Forty one specimens (14 CSF and 27 sera) from 27 patients with culture-proven cryptococcosis were positive by both the Fairfield and IMMY latex tests. Thirty nine of these specimens were positive by the Meridian latex test. Two were negative. Sixty six specimens (10 CSF and 56 sera) from 63 patients not known to have cryptococcosis were negative by all 3 tests.