What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to understand the relationship between therapeutic lumbar punctures and survival rates in cryptococcal meningitis patients.

March 13, 2026

Lumbar Puncture Frequency and Patient Survival Among Persons Hospitalized with Cryptococcal Meningitis in the United States

Key Points

This research aims to understand the relationship between therapeutic lumbar punctures and survival rates in cryptococcal meningitis patients.
Analyzed the association between repeat lumbar punctures and mortality rates.
Focused on patients hospitalized with cryptococcal meningitis in the United States.
Included subgroups such as individuals with HIV and transplant recipients.
Repeat lumbar punctures were linked to a significantly lower mortality risk.
Overall mortality hazard ratio was 0.38, indicating a strong protective effect.
Distinct benefits were observed in people with HIV (HR 0.33) and transplant recipients (HR 0.21).
Patients without HIV or transplant also showed improved survival (HR 0.44).

Abstract

Elevated intracranial pressure contributes to high mortality in cryptococcal meningitis. We evaluated the association between therapeutic lumbar punctures (LPs) and survival among patients hospitalized with cryptococcal meningitis in the United States. Repeat LPs were associated with lower mortality (HR 0.38; 95%CI, 0.29-0.49) overall, in people with HIV (HR 0.33; 95%CI, 0.21-0.50), in transplant recipients (HR 0.21; 95%CI, 0.08-0.58), and in persons without HIV or transplant (HR 0.44; 95%CI, 0.30-0.64) compared with receipt of only diagnostic LP. Findings support guideline-recommended repeat LP across diverse populations.

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