title: [Cryptococcal meningitis].
abstract: Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening disease. Headache, vomiting, cranial nerve symptoms and mental changes are the most common symptoms, but as many as 15% may have no symptoms referable to the CNS. For chemotherapy four drugs are available: namely amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, miconazole and ketoconazole. Most cases have been treated by combination of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. The intrathecal administration of amphotericin B should be considered for patients who fail to respond to the usual intravenous therapy. The case is reported of a patient who died due to hydrocephalus, and the CSF-levels of the administered drugs are presented. Some pitfalls of therapy are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D005437:Flucytosine
vernacular_title: Cryptococcen-Meningitis.