title: Asymptomatic cryptococcal meningitis.
abstract: Two cases of asymptomatic cryptococcal meningitis are described. The disease was diagnosed only after Cryptococcus neoformans was cultured from lung tissue and urine. These cases represent 2 of 11 meningitis cases seen in a 10-yr period at this hospital. Of 11 cases of extraneural cryptococcosis, 6 had lumbar punctures and these 2 had positive culture results. Asymptomatic cryptococcal meningitis is not rare. Our experience suggested that lumbar punctures should be performed routinely in patients with cultures yielding Cryptococcus neoformans from extraneural sites.
mesh_terms: D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology