Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis in an HIV-negative patient from the Peruvian Andes.
We report a case of an immunocompetent Peruvian patient from the Andes with a one-month history of meningoencephalitis. Cryptococcus gattii was identified from a cerebrospinal fluid culture through assimilation of D-proline and D-tryptophan as the single nitrogen source. Initially, the patient received intravenous antifungal therapy with amphotericin B. The patient was discharged 29 days after hospitalization and continued with oral fluconazole treatment for ten weeks. During this period, the patient showed clinical improvement with slight right-side residual weakness. Through this case report, we confirm the existence of this microorganism as an infectious agent in Peru.
Gutierrez
Ericson L
EL
Institute of Clinical Research, National University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru.
Valqui
Willi
W
Vilchez
Luis
L
Evangelista
Lourdes
L
Crispin
Sarita
S
Tello
Mercedes
M
Navincopa
Marcos
M
Béjar
Vilma
V
Gonzáles
José
J
Ortega-Loayza
Alex G
AG
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D056285:Cryptococcus gattii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015725:Fluconazole