Management of cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS.
A case of cryptococcal meningitis in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is described, as well as the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of the disease. In July 1987 a 38-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital because of confusion, disorientation, and headache. His medical history was notable for a positive human immunodeficiency virus test. Culture of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. The patient was started on amphotericin B 16 mg/day (0.3 mg/kg/day) intravenously and flucytosine 2 g every six hours (150 mg/kg/day) orally. Despite premedication with diphenhydramine and acetaminophen, he experienced rigors that were treated with hydrocortisone and meperidine. Three weeks later he was discharged on flucytosine 2 g orally every six hours and amphotericin B 50 mg intravenously every other day. One week later the patient developed fever and chills; blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and his peripheral leucocyte count was 1.8 X 10(3)/cu mm. Flucytosine was discontinued, and he was treated with intravenous nafcillin while remaining on amphotericin B. In October the patient complained of nausea, vomiting, weakness, and agitation. A CSF latex agglutination titer for cryptococcal antigen was 1:32. He was treated with amphotericin B 50 mg daily until symptoms resolved and then continued on amphotericin B 50 mg twice weekly. Cryptococcosis is the most common life-threatening fungal infection among AIDS patients. In contrast to immunocompetent hosts, this population invariably develops disseminated disease, with 85% having meningeal involvement. The most effective therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in patients with AIDS has not been established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0581.
J
J
Sahai
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology