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.
Juhi
Taneja
T
Department of Microbiology, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, India.
BibhaBati
Mishra
M
Aradhana
Bhargava
B
Poonam
Loomba
L
Vinita
Dogra
D
Archana
Thakur
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies