Dexamethasone in Cryptococcus gattii central nervous system infection.
Clinical outcomes were reviewed for 4 patients with Cryptococcus gattii central nervous system infection who received dexamethasone for the treatment of persisting mental status abnormalities and focal lesions on brain scan despite culture-negative cerebrospinal fluid and the management of intracranial pressure. Favorable clinical responses were observed in 3 patients. Although corticosteroids are not recommended for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, these observations suggest that dexamethasone should be further evaluated in this subset of patients.
Phillips
Peter
P
Divisions of Infectious Diseases, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Rm. 667, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada. pphillips@cfenet.ubc.ca
Chapman
Kristine
K
Sharp
Madeleine
M
Harrison
Phil
P
Vortel
Jerry
J
Steiner
Theodore
T
Bowie
William
W
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone