Latex agglutination testing for Cryptococcus neoformans detects which component of the organism in cerebrospinal fluid?

• A Capsular polysaccharide antigen ✓
• B Melanin pigment
• C Glucuronoxylomannan-binding host antibody
• D Beta-glucan released from the cell wall

Explanation

The latex agglutination test employs latex particles coated with anticryptococcal antibody to capture the capsular polysaccharide antigen, chiefly glucuronoxylomannan, shed into CSF and serum. It is more sensitive than India ink examination, which detects the capsule microscopically and misses low organism loads. Option C is incorrect because the test detects fungal antigen, not host antibody, and beta-glucan assays target invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis rather than cryptococcosis, which removes both strong distractors.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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