Paradoxical immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with previous Cryptococcus neoformans infection in an HIV-positive patient requiring neurosurgical intervention

New Microbiol. 2009 Apr;32(2):209-12.

Abstract

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in HIV-1-infected patients is associated with an exaggerated inflammatory response against an opportunistic infection during highly active antiretroviral therapy. The only review on IRIS associated with Criptococcus neoformans reported 21 episodes including lymphadenitis, necrotizing pneumonitis, breast and cutaneous abscess, and cryptococcomas. To our knowledge this is the first report of IRIS associated with previous meningeal criptococcal infection which required neurosurgical intervention with placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt to drain a CSF cyst formed by exclusion of the temporal horn of the right lateral ventricle. We demonstrate that this procedure is possible without complications such as cryptococcal dissemination into the peritoneum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / microbiology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / adverse effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cryptococcosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Cryptococcosis / drug therapy
  • Cryptococcosis / microbiology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / drug effects
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / therapeutic use
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / pathology
  • Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole