A Rare Modality of Concurrent Cryptococcal and Tubercular Meningitis in a Patient Living With HIV

Abstract

Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and a low CD4 count have decreased humoral and cellular immunity, predisposing them to opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals due to impaired immune systems, particularly in persons living with HIV/AIDS. Common opportunistic infections in patients living with HIV include bacterial infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC); viral infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1); fungal infections such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and cryptococcal meningitis; and parasitic infections such as cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis. Concurrent infection with cryptococcal and tubercular meningitis in patients with HIV is very rare. Here, we present the case of a 48-year-old male living with HIV who presented with complaints of breathlessness, fever, and weight loss and was evaluated and put on antitubercular medications for pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the presence of a continuous headache led us to investigate further. Upon brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid evaluation, it was determined to be meningitis due to co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans. The patient was treated with antitubercular therapy along with antifungal therapy. He is under regular follow-up without any further events.