Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis: Recommendations on Rapid Detection and Treatment

Date published
Resource type
E-Learning

Background

Cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis are important public health problems globally, especially for people with advanced HIV disease (AHD).  For people with AHD, these diseases are associated with high mortality, especially in parts of the world where gold-standard diagnosis and treatment are not routinely available. The diagnosis and treatment of these diseases is challenging, but new diagnostic tools and recommendations for treatment have the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose

The goal of this virtual training is to provide an overview of cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. This self-guided e-learning course introduces learners to the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus and Histoplasma, including modules covering its background, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, and infection control approaches.  This course focuses primarily on these fungal diseases as opportunistic infections of people living with HIV.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the public health burden of HIV-associated cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis
  • Describe the signs and symptoms of cryptococcal meningitis and histoplasmosis
  • Describe screening and diagnostic methods for cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis
  • Describe recommendations for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and disseminated histoplasmosis
  • Describe the steps for performing cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) lateral flow assays, histoplasma urine antigen lateral flow assays, and an enzyme immunoassay for histoplasma urine antigen

Language

English

Format

This self-guided e-learning course consists of five interactive modules designed for learners to complete at their own pace. The modules do not need to be completed sequentially. There is no registration, assessment, or certification for this course.

Audience

Healthcare providers, epidemiologists, laboratory staff, and other interested public health professionals.

Time Required

Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes total to complete all modules. Modules do not have to be completed in one sitting. Learners can start and stop as needed but must note where to resume the course, as the place will not be saved between sessions.

Supplemental Materials

Technical review conducted by:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
    • Mycotic Diseases Branch (MDB):
      • Alex Jordan
      • Diego H. Caceres
      • Mitsuru Toda

Acknowledgements

  • TEPHINET
  • Wisewire, Inc. 

Questions and Comments 

Please direct any questions or feedback on this training to the following email address: MDBCoAg@cdc.gov 

Disclaimer

This eLearning course was supported by Cooperative Agreement number NU2GGH001873, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through TEPHINET, a program of The Task Force for Global Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, The Task Force for Global Health, Inc. or TEPHINET.

Downloadable version

The training course Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis: Recommendations on Rapid Detection and Treatment is also accessible offline. For the offline version, please download the below zip file.

In order to open the zip file and run the course:

  • Step One: Download the zip file
  • Step Two: Once it is downloaded, right-click the zip file to extract all
  • Step Three: Open the extracted folder
  • Step Four: Start each module by clicking the files named "Launch Module" for each