A case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and focal cerebral vasculitis with transient immunodeficiency.
The AA. report a case of CNS cryptococcosis with vasculopathic complications in a woman in perfect physical conditions. The patient was admitted to hospital after complaining for 20 days of fever, headache and rachialgia. CSF examination revealed hypoglicorrachia (18 mg %), cells 440 mmc (polymorphonuclear leukocytes 90%), brain CT scan negative. During antimycobacterial treatment right hemiparesis appeared; brain CT: hypodense lesion in the posterior brachium of the left inner capsule; at its base the lesion showed a hypodense streak coherent with thromboembolic damage or deep vasculitis. OKT4 lymphocytes were 6% (absolute number: 70). The antimycotic treatment, following the positive reaction of the CSF culture to Cryptococcus Neoformans, entirely cured the hemiparesis and normalized the CSF while OKT4 lymphocytes rapidly grew.
Scalzini
A
A
1st Department of Infectious Diseases, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy.
Castelnuovo
F
F
Puoti
M
M
Cristini
G
G
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications*; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications*