Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2014

A CASE OF CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN AN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PATIENT

Dr. Nihaal Reddy, Dr. Pranav Mallya, Dr. Hemanth Kumar, Dr. Ashwin Patil

Abstract :

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: To review the clinical presentation and imaging findings of cryptococcosis in an immunocompromised patient positive for HIV/AIDS. MATERIALS & METHODS: A 42 year old HIV/AIDS male patient presented with complaints of headache and aphasia. Patient had low CD4 count of 4.Patient underwent MRI ain (P&C) & CT ain. RESULT: MRI (P&C) revealed clusters of T2 and FLAIR hyperintense, T1 isointense, non–enhancing lesions in bilateral basal ganglia ,thalamus, midain and dentate nucleus. Tiny cystic areas in bilateral basal ganglia and along the ependymal lining of the lateral ventricles. No evidence of haemorrhage, necrosis, perilesional edema or calcification within the affected areas. Subacute infarcts were also present in the bilateral basal ganglia. CT ain plain revealed hypodense areas in the above mentioned areas. CONCLUSION: Fungal infections can be life–threatening in immunocompromised patients, especially those with HIV/ AIDS. While many different fungi can cause CNS infection, the most common fungi to affect patients with HIV/AIDS are Candida albicans, Aspergillus species, and Cryptococcus neoformans (crypto). Cryptococcus neoformans is an infectious agent causing central nervous system (CNS) infections in immunocompromised patients. Patients with CNS cryptococcosis commonly present with non–specific manifestations such as headache, fever, seizure and conscious disturbance. Cryptococcosis is the third most common CNS infectious agent in HIV/AIDS patients, after HIV and T. gondii. Prior to HAART, crypto CNS infections occurred in 10% of HIV patients, but it is now relatively rare in developed countries. It manifests as Meningitis, gelatinous pseudocysts and cryptococcomas in the ain. It is confirmed on the India ink stain test.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Dr. Nihaal Reddy, Dr. Pranav Mallya, Dr. Hemanth Kumar, Dr. Ashwin Patil A Case of Cryptococcosis in An Immunocom Promised Patient Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.4, Issue.9 September 2014

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