Candidal meningitis in HIV-infected patients.
Candida meningitis is considered a rare event in HIV-infected patients, and little is known about risk factors, clinical presentation, therapy of choice, or outcome in this population. In a review of 14 cases, we observed a low frequency of the disease, a strong association to other well-known risk factors for systematic candidiasis, such as intravenous drug use, and a chronic course and clinical features that mimic those of cryptococcal or tuberculous meningitis. Although the role of fluconazole treatment remains to be defined, the combination of amphotericin B with flucytosine offers a survival rate similar to non-HIV-infected patients. In addition, the use of suppressive therapy with fluconazole for a prolonged period after clinical improvement seems recommendable.
Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. jose.casado@hre.es
J L
JL
Casado
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C
Quereda
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I
Corral
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016921:Meningitis, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000935:Antifungal Agents