DREAMM Clinical Training: HIV–associated Cryptococcal Meningitis

The DREAMM education programme and all related training materials are intended for health care workers (HCWs) based/working in low and middle income countries (LMICs) across Africa.

The DREAMM education programme aims to increase the knowledge of HCWs to effectively diagnose and treat symptomatic people living with HIV (PLHIV) who present with symptoms and signs compatible with a diagnosis of meningo-encephalitis.

This module and supporting posters and workshops focus on HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis, a leading cause of HIV-related meningo-encephalitis in many LMICs and is estimated to make up to 20% of HIV-related deaths in LMICs.

The cryptococcal meningitis training module consists of 7 sections (it is recommend to view sequentially):

- The impact of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis on health
- The pathophysiology of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
- Signs and symptoms of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
- Diagnosing HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
- Treatment of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis
- Managing HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis: monitoring and complications
- Further management of cryptococcal meningitis: raised intracranial pressure, ART initiation and significant drug interactions

There are three HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis training workshops:

- Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg) Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) Test – Diagnosing Cryptococcal Meningitis
- Safe Administration of Amphotericin B deoxycholate – Treating Cryptococcal Meningitis
- Safe Administration of Flucytosine and Fluconazole – Treating Cryptococcal Meningitis

The HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis training posters are titled:

- HIV-associated Cryptococcal Meningitis
- Safe Amphotericin Deoxycholate (AmB) Administration
- Flucytosine (5-FC) and Fluconazole Administration for HIV-related Cryptococcal Meningitis
- How to perform a cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CrAg LFA): IMMY CrAg
- How to perform a cryptococcal Antigen Lateral Flow Assay (CrAg LFA): Biosynex CryptoPS