title: Cryptococcus neoformans and Streptococcus pneumoniae co-infection in post-traumatic meningitis in a patient with unknown HIV status.
abstract: Meningitis is a serious disease associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Mixed meningeal infections due to bacteria and fungi are exceptionally rare. Here we report a case of meningeal co-infection with cryptococcus neoformans and streptococcus pneumoniae in a patient with unknown human immunodeficiency virus status. Because of the rarity of such cases, stringent screening of every cerebrospinal fluid specimen to exclude the presence of multiple pathogens is imperative. Assessment of patients for immunodeficiencies in case of isolation of an opportunistic organism like cryptococcus is also needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Faryal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Naima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fasih
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Afia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zafar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060085:Coinfection / Q000382:microbiology; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae
keywords: Cryptococcosis, Meningeal co-infections, Cryptococcal meningitis, Post-traumatic meningitis.