Meningitis (cryptococcal)
Cryptococcal meningitis is usually a disease of the immunocompromised. It has become more common with the appearance of HIV.
Even though the infection is usually HIV-related, many of the non-HIV-related cases include patients under immunosuppressive treatments or with organic failure syndromes, transplants, innate immunological problems, common variable immunodeficiency syndrome, and haematological disorders. (1)
Cryptococcus neoformans is the pathogenic fungus. It is a common organism found in the soil, particularly in bird droppings. The portal of entry is usually the lung.
The predominant clinical process is a variably subacute meningitis with occasional patients showing features of brain abscess or inflammatory cerebral vasculitis.
Reference
- Pappas PG. Cryptococcal infections in non-HIV-infected patients. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2013;124:61-79.
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