OBJECTIVE Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans are major causes of meningitis in HIV-1-infected patients. Identifying differences in the inflammatory profiles of HIV-1-associated tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis may inform differences in immunopathogenic mechanisms in these diseases. In this study we compared the clinical and inflammatory features of HI...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of AIDS-related complicated cryptococcal meningitis. The outcome was complicated cryptococcal meningitis: prolonged (>/= 14 days) altered mental status, persistent (>/= 14 days) focal neurologic findings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement or death. Predictor variable operating characteristics were estimated using rece...

BACKGROUND Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of death in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and contributes substantially to the high early mortality in antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs in low-resource settings. Screening for cryptococcal antigen in patients who enroll in ART programs may identify those at risk of cryptococcal meningitis and permit targeted use of ...

Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed hosts with high morbidity and mortality. Once suffering from cryptococcal meningitis, immunocompetent patients are more likely to achieve poor outcome, because of the powerful immune response. Here we present a case of cryptococcal meningitis occurring in an immunocompetent host with no definite underlying diseases and no...

Cryptococcal meningitis has been described in immunocompromised patients, as well as in those for whom no immune defect has been identified. GM-CSF regulates the function of phagocytes and pulmonary alveolar macrophages, critical elements in cryptococcal control. We performed clinical histories, immunological evaluation, and anticytokine autoantibody screening in four current patients with cryp...

We report the case of a kidney transplantation patient on chronic immunosuppressive therapy presenting with subacute meningitis. The final diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was delayed due to 2 false-negative cryptococcal results on a molecular diagnostic panel. Caution with such platforms in suspected cryptococcal meningitis is needed.

BACKGROUND Cryptococcal meningitis is a common opportunistic infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals. There is little information specifically addressing cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients from North India. AIMS To determine clinical presentation, hospital course, response to treatment, complications developed, in-hospital mortality, any recurrence o...

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening condition caused by an invasive, opportunistic, encapsulated saprophytic fungus, either Cryptococcus neoformans or gattii most often in immunocompromised patients, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Overwhelming invasive infection of immunocompetent patients rather uncommon, and diagnosis challenging due to more indolent cours...

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BACKGROUND Largely due to the lack of diagnostic reagents, the prevalence and clinical presentation of cryptococcal meningitis in Tanzania is poorly understood. This in turn is limiting the impact of increased fluconazole availability. METHODS We evaluated a cohort of 149 consecutive HIV-infected adult inpatients presenting with headache or altered mental status for clinical features, CD4 cou...