Cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis

Definition

Meningeal inflammation produced by cryptococcus neoformans, an encapsulated yeast that tends to infect individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other immunocompromised states. The organism enters the body through the respiratory tract, but symptomatic infections are usually limited to the lungs and nervous system. The organism may also produce parenchymal brain lesions (torulomas). Clinically, the course is subacute and may feature headache; nausea; photophobia; focal neurologic deficits; seizures; cranial neuropathies; and hydrocephalus. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp721-2)

Also known as Cryptococcus neoformans caused infectious meningitis, Cryptococcus neoformans infectious meningitis — per MONDO

Also identified as

Affected Organs

Organ Involvement Source
Central nervous system Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Central nervous system Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Meninx Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0

Drugs indicated

Drug Relation Source
Amphotericin B may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Fluconazole may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Flucytosine may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)