What are the recommended follow-up protocols for patients treated for cryptococcal infections to prevent recurrence?

There are no specific UK guideline recommendations provided in the supplied context explicitly addressing follow-up protocols for patients treated for cryptococcal infections to prevent recurrence. However, general principles for managing fungal or severe infections suggest the following:

• Assess for underlying immunodeficiency: Testing for HIV and other immunodeficiencies is important in patients with severe infections to identify risk factors for recurrence and guide follow-up care NICE NG240.
• Specialist referral: Patients with recurrent or severe infections should be reviewed by infectious disease or immunology specialists to determine appropriate investigations, vaccinations, and interventions to prevent recurrence NICE NG240.
• Patient education: Patients should be informed about symptoms of relapse and advised on how to seek prompt medical attention if symptoms recur, as is recommended for other serious infections like tuberculosis NICE NG33.

In the absence of cryptococcal-specific follow-up protocols in the provided UK guidelines, these general principles should guide follow-up care to prevent recurrence.