Fatal cryptococcal meningitis in a non-HIV patient (original) (raw)

Fatal Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Non-Hiv Patient: A Case Report

International Journal of Biology, Pharmacy and Allied Sciences, 2021

Cryptococcal infections are fungal infections most commonly seen in immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcus neoformans is a saprophyte usually found in soil contaminated with pigeon droppings. Suspicion to diagnose begins with clinical symptoms that can be non-specific such as fevers and headaches. We present a case of Cryptococcus meningitis (CM) in a patient with cardiopulmonary arrest. A 55 year old male patient came with history of headache with fever since last 3 months. He also had neck regidity for last 3 months. The patient was admitted as a case of Cryptococcal meningitis based on clinical laboratory and radiological features. Investigations were done to rule out other immune system disorders. He was treated with Amphotericine B (IV) and Fluconazole orally for 2 weeks. Culture of CSF was done which showed Cryptococcus neoformans. As a conclusion, Cryptococcus might affect non-HIV patients regardless to their immune system.

Clinical Manifestations of Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV Negative Patients-A Case Study

Cryptococcal Meningitis (CM) is a central nervous system infection caused by a fungus. A large majority of cases are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans. The fungus C. neoformans is found in soil that contains bird droppings, particularly pigeon excreta, all over the world. Cryptococcusneoformans var. gatti, on the other hand, is found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions trees, most commonly eucalyptus trees. It grows in the debris around the trees' bases. Cryptococcal meningitis usually occurs in people who have a compromised immune system and is a rare occurrence in someone who has a normal immune system. Of the two fungi, Cryptococcalgattii is the one more likely to infect someone with a normal immune system.The incidence of infections caused by C.neoformans has risen markedly over the past 20 years as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and increasing use of immunosuppressive therapies. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection and an AIDS-defining illness in patients with late-stage HIV infection, particularly in Southeast Asia and Southern and East Africa. It is widely considered as the most common life-threatening AIDS related fungal infection. Cryptococcal meningitis has been estimated at about 70 to 90% worldwide in AIDS patients with mortalities of between 50% to 70% in Sub-Saharan Africa. [2,3,4] Mortality from HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis remains high (13–33%), even in developed countries, because of the inadequacy of current antifungal drugs and combinations, and the complication of raised intracranial pressure.[2,7,8]In the cases presented, the findings were so non-specific that the diagnosis was highly dependent on the CSF findings. Based on the characteristics of the presenting signs and symptoms, Cryptococcal meningitis should always be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic or subacute meningoencephalitis, since clinical features are not specific.

Cryptococcal Meningitis in Immunocompetent Patient-Case Report

Cryptococcal Meningitis (CM) is a rare infection in immunocompetent patients. A kind of central nervous system infection caused by encapsulated yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. A 59-year-old man presented to the Neurology Department of Nova Iguacu General Hospital, complaining has felt "muddled" recently and feeling diaphragmatic spasm without any apparent cause. In addition, at neurological examination, the patient was slightly confused and during the mini-mental state examination he scored less than 20 points, feeling "slowed down", no cranial nerve dysfunction, "rigidity of gait as well as of hand movements, more pronounced on the right one, pyramidal signs bilaterally were more intensely noted on the left". His MRI, lumbar puncture, fungal isolation and Nakin Ink were positive to Cryptococcosis while, in turn, HIV tests I and II were both negative. The treatment was started with Amphotericin B 50 mg IV, once a day, plus Dexamethashone. From our clinical case, we decided to do a brief review about Cryptococcoal Meningitis in immunocompetents and Cryptococcoma, researching at MedLine and Pubmed, using terms "Cryptococcal meningitis", "Cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompetent" and "Cryptococcomas". It is concluded that CM in immunocompetents is uncommon, but an important cause of non-acute meningitis, that should be included in the range of causes of preventable blindness. In this sense, this article purposes advertise clinicians and specialists, to recognize the clinical manifestation and diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompetents, trying to avoid a later diagnosis and the following complications.

Cryptococcus Meningitis, in the Patients with Human immunodeficiency Virus Infection

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention, 2014

AIDS have given more importance to cryptococcosis,which was discovered a century ago.Cryptococcus neoformans is the most frequent cause of meningitis in HIV infected patients. Cryptococcus can infect any organ in the human body, the frequent sites are lung,CNS,skin,eye and prostrate The impact of capsular polysaccharide,melanin and ability to grow at higher temperature, in host immunity can be profound at pathophysiologic levels.Cryptococcal meningitis presentation in AIDS patients may be very subtle, with headache,fever,and lethargy. Meningeal signs occurs in some patients, photophobia and cranial nerve palsies are often absent, most patients have CD4 T-cell lower than 50 cells/µl.African patients have higher rate of neurologic compromise. Strong cellular immune response producing granulomatous inflammation is essential for containment of infection. Pathophysiology of cryptococcosis is similar to reactivation of tuberculosis, and histoplasmosis.Diagnostic methods include, direct microscopic examination by India ink mixing of biologic fluids, detection of polysaccharide antigen and a positive blood culture. Treatment of choice in AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis with amphotericin B with flucocytosine or fluconazole for 4 to 6 weeks Monotherapy cannot be recommended for the treatment of this infection.

Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Newly Diagnosed AIDS Patient: A Case Report

West African Journal of Medicine, 2010

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus neoformans is a very important cause of fungal meningitis in immunosuppressed patients OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in an HIV/AIDS patient from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. METHODS: An 18-year-old male student presented with cough, weight loss, and fever. He was clinically assessed and had full laboratory investigations including cerebrospinal fluid CSF and then started on chemotherapy. Both the clinical and neurological evaluation of the patient was described along with the laboratory analyses of his CSF. Outcome of how he was managed was also reported. RESULTS: Cryptococcus neoformans presented as an AIDS defining fungal infection for the first time in this 18 year old undergraduate who was infected probably from transfusion of unscreened blood He had advanced HIV infection (CD4+ count of 29cells/ul) and severe cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. He was unsuccessfully managed with fluconazole, a second choice drug for this condition, amphotericin B being not available. CONCLUSION: Nigerians should have access to effective blood transfusion services at all public and private hospitals across the country. The National Essential Drug list should be expanded to include drugs such as amphotericin B which hitherto were considered exotic. WAJM 2009; 28(5): 343-346.

Cryptococcal infection in patients with clinically diagnosed meningitis in a tertiary care center

Neurology India, 2003

A retrospective analysis of 326 clinically diagnosed cases with meningitis over a period of five-and-a-half years was carried out to determine the prevalence of cryptococcal infection, its associated risk factors and therapeutic outcome. Fifty-four (16.6%) patients with cryptococcal meningitis were identified by smear examination, culture and/or cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination test. Records of 45 cryptococcal meningitis patients were available; 18 (40%) of them were apparently healthy immunocompetent individuals, 13 (28.9%) had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, 9 (20%) were renal transplant recipients, 4 (8.9%) were diabetic and 1 (2.2%) had systemic lupus erythematosus. Ten (22.2%) patients died and 11 (24.4%) patients (all HIV-positive) left against medical advice. The present study indicates that cryptococcal infection is associated with high mortality. Presenting symptoms being indistinguishable from other causes of central nervous system infection, all pati...

Cryptococcus neoformans associated death in a non-HIV patient

Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine, 2017

Background: In the past 20 years, fungal infections have become more frequent in human pathology because of the rise in the number of patients with immune deficiencies (HIV infections, neoplasm, immuno-suppressive drugs, etc). The biggest influence in the epidemiology of C. neoformans infection in the past 40 years is closely tied to the emergence and evolution of HIV infections on a global scale. Methods: In “Dr. Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, in the last 10 years were recorded 27 cases of cryptococcal disease in HIV positive patients, and only 3 cases in HIV negative patients. In this article is present a case of C. neoformans meningitis in a HIV negative patient with severe cellular immunity deficiency of an unknown

Prevalence of cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary care centre

PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL RESEARCH, 2020

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis has emerged as an important opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients. It is associated with a high mortality rate. Hence early diagnosis is necessary to start appropriate treatment. Cryptococcosis is generally found in association with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) although it has been reported to cause disease in HIV-seronegative patients also. Objective:Prevalence of Cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary care centre. Material & Methods: A total of 93 Cerebrospinal fluid samples from suspected cases of fungal meningitis were received in the microbiology department of GB Pant Hospital(GIPMER) from January to June 2018. Samples were subjected to direct microscopy- wet mount, India ink preparation and Gram stain, Cryptococcal antigen detection(Latex agglutination), and Fungal culture. In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus isolates to Fluconazole, Voriconazole, 5- Flucy...