Chronic cryptococcal meningitis in an intravenous drug addict without evidence of infection by HIV-1,2 in southern Italy

Eur J Epidemiol. 1994 Dec;10(6):773-4. doi: 10.1007/BF01719297.

Abstract

Before the emergence of AIDS, extrapulmonary cryptococcosis was very rare. By contrast, meningeal cryptococcosis is a very common opportunistic infection in AIDS patients. We report an intravenous drug addict with cryptococcal meningitis, who was not infected with HIV and had no apparent predisposing conditions. This case, as those elsewhere described, supports the potential existence of viral agents, other than HIV-1,2 capable of encouraging the occurrence of unusual infections as have emerged during the AIDS pandemic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • HIV-1
  • HIV-2
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / pathology*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous*