Cryptococcal antigen negative meningoencephalitis in HIV/AIDS

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017 Oct;89(2):143-145. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.016. Epub 2017 Jul 3.

Abstract

Diagnosis of central nervous system cryptococcosis relies on a spectrum of methods but has improved with lateral flow diagnostic assays that detect capsular polysaccharide antigens of Cryptococcus. Here, we present the case of an HIV-infected African-American man with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by a strain producing little or no capsule.

Keywords: AIDS; Cryptococcal antigen; Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis; Cryptococcus; HIV.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / microbiology
  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, Fungal / immunology
  • Antigens, Fungal / metabolism*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / metabolism*
  • Flucytosine / therapeutic use
  • Fungal Capsules / metabolism*
  • Fungal Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / microbiology
  • Meningoencephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Meningoencephalitis / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Fungal Polysaccharides
  • Amphotericin B
  • Flucytosine