Objective: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated fungus whose infections have gained importance as it is a causative agent of meningoencephalitis in patients with AIDS. However, information and data regarding Cryptococcus infections in oncology patients are limited. For this reason, Cryptococcus antigenemia research in relation to oncology patients in the risk group is needed for the prevention or early diagnosis of the infections.

Methods: In the present study, 168 pediatric oncology patients (follow-up or newly diagnosed) who were admitted to the Pediatric Oncology outpatient clinic and 100 children without malignancy, selected as the control group, were tested for Cryptococcus antigen (CrAg). A lateral flow antigen (LFA) test, which is a point-ofcare serological test that can detect Cryptococcus antigen (CrAg) in serum with high sensitivity and specificity, was used. The IMMY CrAg® Lateral Flow Assay was chosen. After demographic information and patient histories were collected, a 5 cc blood sample was obtained from the participants, and the serum portion was separated for use in the test.

Results: According to patient’s group survey data, 26 (15.4%) of the children had a history of contact with animals such as pigeons, chickens, etc., and 12 (7.1%) had a history of contact with trees, such as eucalyptus and oak. Additionally, 73.8% (124/168) of the participants resided in the Mediterranean region. However, the presence of Cryptococcus antigen was not detected in either group.

Conclusion: In this study, although the prevalence of Cryptococcus antigen was determined to be 0%, our data should be supported by other studies on the childhood period in our country. Studies involving a larger number of patients are needed before recommending routine CrAg®-LFA testing in pediatric oncology patients.