[Cryptococcal meningitis].
BACKGROUND
Cryptococcus neoformans causes systemic disease in patients with immunodeficiency. The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis has increased in parallel with that of HIV infection. Cancer is also a known predisposing factor.


METHODS
We present two case reports and a review of the literature concerning the epidemiology, diagnostics and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.


RESULTS
The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis in Scandinavia seems to be lower than in other parts of the world. Clinical signs and symptoms are often uncharacteristic. Detection of antigen in spinal fluid is a sensitive and fast test.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryptococcal meningitis is a rare disease, often with uncharacteristic symptoms. Patients with haematological malignancies have a higher risk of contracting this disease. It is a differential diagnosis when neurological symptoms occur in these patients.
Sivertsen
Einar Andreas
EA
Immunologisk avdeling, Institutt for kreftforskning, Oslo. einaras@labmed.uio.no
Torfoss
Dag
D
D000328:Adult; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged