False-negative cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal antigen test due to small-colony variants of Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis in a patient with cystopleural shunt.
This is the first report of a small-colony variant Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with cystopleural shunt associated chronic meningitis. Cryptococcal antigen testing of the cerebrospinal fluid and the serum were both negative. The atypical morphology and the false-negative test may lead to delay of diagnosis and treatment.
To
Kelvin K W
KK
Research Centre of Infection and Immunology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, China.
Cheng
Vincent C C
VC
Tang
Bone S F
BS
Fan
Yiu-Wah
YW
Yuen
Kwok-Yung
KY
D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000379:methods*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000382:microbiology*
D000946:Antigens, Fungal