A 49-year-old man was admitted with altered mental status, high-grade fevers, tachycardia and leucocytosis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was purulent with a markedly elevated nucleated cell count with neutrophilic predominance, elevated protein and low glucose. CSF gram stain was negative. Patient received vancomycin, cefepime, ampicillin and acyclovir for presumed meningitis. He was intubated for protection of airway and underwent bronchoscopy. Microscopic examination of the bronchoalveolar lavage noted Strongyloides filariform larvae. Ivermectin was prescribed. Other laboratory tests showed a positive HIV test associated with a low CD4 count. Stool ova and parasite also revealed Strongyloides and repeat lumbar puncture identified larvae in the CSF. Albendazole was added for adjunctive therapy. However, the patient suffered a large intraparenchymal haemorrhage extending into the ventricles and he expired 36 days after admission.
Keywords: HIV / AIDS; Meningitis; Tropical medicine (infectious disease); intensive care.
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