Cryptococcal meningitis in a tertiary care hospital.
Seven cases of cryptococcus meningitis in a tertiary care hospital from 2004-2007 were reviewed. 85.7% of the patients had headache as their predominant clinical feature. The spectrum of CT / MR findings ranged from no abnormality, basal ganglion lesion, to intracerebral and intraventricular granulomas. Findings of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and biochemistry analysis were inconclusive. Patients were diagnosed by India ink(100%), CSF cryptococcal antigen detection(100%), and CSF culture in 6(85.7%). With the exception of two patients, co-morbidities associated were HIV, diabetes mellitus, and idiopathic CD4 + lymphocytopenia. Six patients were successfully treated with amphotericin B and discharged. A high index of clinical suspicion and laboratory diagnosis achieved early can reduce the overall morbidity and mortality among patients with cryptococcosis.
Department of Microbiology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Taneja
T
Juhi
Mishra
M
BibhaBati
Bhargava
B
Aradhana
Loomba
L
Poonam
Dogra
D
Vinita
Thakur
T
Archana
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies