Cryptococcal Meningitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital

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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.