Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis in an HIV-negative patient from the Peruvian Andes

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2010 Jul-Aug;43(4):469-71. doi: 10.1590/s0037-86822010000400029.

Abstract

We report a case of an immunocompetent Peruvian patient from the Andes with a one-month history of meningoencephalitis. Cryptococcus gattii was identified from a cerebrospinal fluid culture through assimilation of D-proline and D-tryptophan as the single nitrogen source. Initially, the patient received intravenous antifungal therapy with amphotericin B. The patient was discharged 29 days after hospitalization and continued with oral fluconazole treatment for ten weeks. During this period, the patient showed clinical improvement with slight right-side residual weakness. Through this case report, we confirm the existence of this microorganism as an infectious agent in Peru.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcus gattii / isolation & purification*
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / drug therapy
  • Meningoencephalitis / microbiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Peru

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Fluconazole