Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia

Coll Antropol. 2013 Jun;37(2):619-23.

Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans is a leading cause of invasive cryptoccocal infections which include meningitis/meningoencephalitis, cerebral cryptococcoma, invasive pulmonary and mediastinal infection. Invasive infection is mainly diagnosed in immunocompromised patients, especially in HIV-infected individuals. There is a rising number of patients with invasive cryptococcal infections in immunocompromised patients who are HIV-negative. Among several primary immunodeficiency syndromes, considered as possible reasons for these invasive infections, idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is most frequently diagnosed. The pathogenesis of this rare syndrome is still unknown, while its clinical spectrum ranges from an asymptomatic laboratory abnormality to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Here we present an HIV-negative young man suffering from cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in whom ICL was diagnosed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / microbiology*
  • Cryptococcosis / immunology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / immunology*
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification
  • HIV Seronegativity
  • Humans
  • Lymphopenia / immunology
  • Lymphopenia / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / immunology*
  • Meningoencephalitis / microbiology*