|
Cryptococcal Meningitis |
|
|
|
Cryptococcal meningitis is a
Life-threatening infection of the membranes (meninges) that line the brain
and spinal cord. Cryptococcal disease is caused by a fungus.
Most people have been exposed to this organism, which is found in soil contaminated by bird droppings, but it usually does not cause disease in healthy people. The majority of people with cryptococcal meningitis have immune systems that are damaged by disease, such as AIDS, or suppressed by drugs. The organism can infect almost all organs in the body, although it most commonly causes disease of the meninges, skin, or lungs. Symptoms and Diagnosis Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common cryptococcal infection in people with AIDS, affecting about one out of every ten patients. The first symptoms of this infection are fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and headache. Cryptococcal meningitis may cause a person to become confused and have memory loss. Family members or friends may note small changes in personality or behavior. If people with cryptococcal meningitis are not treated, they may lapse into a coma and die. Doctors diagnose cryptococcal meningitis by detecting the cryptococcal organism or one of its proteins in a sample of blood or of spinal fluid, which is removed from the spine through a needle. Treatment Acute. Patients with cryptococcal meningitis are usually treated with the antifungal drug amphotericin B. Many patients are also given the antifungal drug flucytosine for at least two weeks. Another treatment option is the antifungal agent fluconazole, which can be taken by mouth or given through the veins. Amphotericin B has many side effects including kidney damage, high fever, low blood pressure, decreased numbers of red or white blood cells, nausea, vomiting and chills. A newer formulation of the drug, in which the active compound is encased in a fatty substance, is under study and may have fewer side effects. However, more research is needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of this new form of amphotericin B. Flucytosine also may cause serious side effects, including decreased numbers of red or white blood cells, liver damage, nausea, diarrhea, seizures, abdominal discomfort or rash. Fluconazole causes fewer, less severe side effects including skin rashes and liver enzyme abnormalities. Maintenance. About four out of five patients survive the initial phase of meningitis. However, half of AIDS patients treated for cryptococcal meningitis will experience a relapse of the disease within one year unless they receive further treatment to prevent it. This is called maintenance therapy. To prevent relapses, most doctors recommend that people who have had cryptococcal meningitis take fluconazole daily. Other durgs used include intravenous amphotericin B taken weekly or biweekly. Another drug under investigation for maintenance therapy to prevent cryptococcal disease is intraconazole.
More information Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |