Cryptococcus gattii meningitis in a young adult in South India: A case report

Abstract

International Journal of Case Reports and Images (IJCRI) is an international, peer reviewed, monthly, open access, online journal, publishing high-quality, articles in all areas of basic medical sciences and clinical specialties.Aim of IJCRI is to encourage the publication of new information by providing a platform for reporting of unique, unusual and rare cases which enhance understanding of disease process, its diagnosis, management and clinico-pathologic correlations.IJCRI publishes Review Articles, Case Series, Case Reports, Case in Images, Clinical Images and Letters to Editor. Website: www.ijcasereportsandimages.comCryptococcus gattii meningitis in a young adult in South India:A case report Alagiri Sivaranjini, Sekar Uma, Kindo Anupma Jyoti, V. Shankar ABSTRACT Introduction: Cryptococcus species is one of the leading causes of invasive fungal infections in the world today. The clinical differences between the two Cryptococcus species, namely, Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii depends on the ecology, epidemiology, virulence of the strain and immune status of the host. Cryptococcus gattii is an environmental fungus of the tropics and subtropics but is now known to cause sporadic infections in non-endemic regions as well. Case Report: This paper reports a case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in a young, immunocompetent male, in South India, which is deemed a non-endemic region for Cryptococcus gattii infections. The patient presented with sub acute symptoms of headache and visual disturbances of two months duration. Cerebrospinal fluid was sent for investigation. Diagnosis was done by demonstration of capsule by microscopy, culture, detection of capsular antigen by latex agglutination and further confirmed by gene sequencing. In spite of intensive therapy, the disease progressed rapidly and the patient succumbed to the infection. Conclusion: Cryptococcus gattii, which was reported as a fungal pathogen of the endemics, is no longer considered as an accidental pathogen. Prompt detection and timely intervention is of utmost importance in treating this serious infection.