Cryptococcal meningitis in apparently immunocompetent patients: association with idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia. Issue 2 (9th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shribman, Samuel; Noyce, Alastair; Gnanapavan, Sharmilee; Lambourne, Jonathan; Harrison, Thomas; Schon, Frederick
• Is Part Of: Practical neurology. Volume 18:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2017-12-09
• Subjects: infectious diseases -- meningitis -- lymphopaenia; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7758

Abstract

Abstract : We present two cases of cryptococcal meningitis in people subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic CD4+ lymphopenia. Both presented with new onset headaches without sinister features and were sent home on multiple occasions from emergency departments. Cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-negative patients poses major diagnostic and management problems; the associated mortality is 9%–27%. We suggest performing blood and cerebrospinal fluid cryptococcal antigen tests in all people with lymphocytic meningitis.