[Neurocryptococcosis caused by nonencapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans].
The case of a patient with meningoencephafalitis due to a nonencapsulated strain of Cryptococcus neoformans is reported; he had no risk factors for the disease or AIDS. Clinical examination showed a chronic meningoencephalitis first diagnosed as tuberculosis. In the second cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination after a week from admission yeasts appeared inside macrophage cells. CSF culture in Sabouraud medium disclosed nonencapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans (biochemical identification). Sample inoculation in mouse (intraperitoneal) evidenced a capsule that disappeared in several consecutive cultures. The morphology of the yeast was studied by electronic microscopy. After treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine the patient had a favorable evolution. The significance of capsular material is discussed.
Lacaz
C S
CS
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
Heins-Vaccari
E M
EM
Melo
N T
NT
Moreno-Carvalho
O A
OA
Sampaio
M L
ML
Nogueira
L S
LS
Badaró
R J
RJ
Livramento
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Neurocriptococose por Cryptococcus neoformans não capsulado.