The effect of serum uric acid, bilirubin, and albumin levels on antioxidant status in HIV-negative immunocompetent cryptococcal meningitis patients with post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome

Oxidative imbalances have been observed in various neurological diseases. Despite the microbiological control in cryptococcal meningitis (CM), a proportion of previously healthy patients experience a clinical deterioration known as post-infectious inflammatory response syndrome (PIIRS). However, the antioxidant status in PIIRS remains unclear. In this study, we found that the serum antioxidant status of HIV-negative immunocompetent CM patients during PIIRS episodes was lower than that of healthy controls. There was a relationship between baseline serum indirect bilirubin levels and the development of PIIRS, and serum uric acid levels may indicate the severity of the disease during PIIRS episodes. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of PIIRS.