Korean J Infect Dis.  1999 Oct;31(5):455-459.

A Case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Presenting as Cryptococcal Meningitis not Accompanied by Pleocytosis

• Bae HK
• Cha HM
• Ko YH
• Kim PJ
• Kim CW
• Yong SK
• Lee DG
• Wie SH
• Kim SI
• Choi JH
• Kim YR
• Shin WS

Abstract

In Korea, cryptococcal meningitis is a rare opportunistic infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Cryptococcal meningitis in non-HIV infected patients is usually accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, but sometimes this is not the case in HIV-infected patients. As the number of patients with HIV infection increases in Korea, such atypical cryptococcal meningitis should be considered as a cause of fever of undetermined origin. In addition, if such a diagnosis is made, underlying AIDS should be ruled out. A 61-year old man was admitted to the hospital because of hematemesis. During hospitalization, he experienced fever and a mild continuous headache. Physical examination showed no neck stiffness. For the evaluation of persistent fever, CSF examination was performed, which showed elevated protein, decreased sugar, normal pressure, and no pleocytosis. Meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans was diagnosed by positive CSF india ink preparation and fungus culture. HIV infection was later confirmed by Western blot analysis.

Keyword

Cryptococcal meningitis; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

MeSH Terms

Blotting, Western
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cryptococcus neoformans
Diagnosis
Fever
Fungi
Headache
Hematemesis
HIV Infections
HIV*
Hospitalization
Humans*
India
Ink
Korea
Leukocytosis*
Meningitis
Meningitis, Cryptococcal*
Middle Aged
Neck
Opportunistic Infections
Physical Examination