Cryptococcal meningo-encephalitis after prolonged corticosteroid therapy.
We present a case of a 69-yr-old woman who developed cryptococcal meningo-encephalitis after 9 yr of corticosteroid therapy. The diagnosis was made on an India ink preparation and positive culture of the cerebrospinal fluid sediment. NMR-imaging was a useful tool for detecting intracerebral localisation of the infection. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B and flucytosine for 6 wk and with itraconazole for another 8 wk.
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam.
J G
JG
Koeleman
C
C
Rustemeijer
P W
PW
Wijermans
D M
DM
MacLaren
D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D011241:Prednisone