A case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and focal cerebral vasculitis with transient immunodeficiency
Scalzini, A.; Castelnuovo, F.; Puoti, M.; Cristini, G.
Acta Neurologica 12(4): 301-304
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6276 PMID: 2251957 Document Number: 350408
The authors report a case of CNS cryptococcosis with vasculopathic complications in a woman with perfect physical conditions. The patient was admitted to hospital after complaining for 20 days of fever, headache and rachialgia. CSF exam revealed hypoglicorrachia (18 mg%), cells 440 mmc (polymorphonuclear leukocytes 90%), brain CT scan negative. During antimycobacterial treatment right hemiparesis appeared; brain CT: hypodense lesion in the posterior brachium of the left inner capsule; at its base the lesion showed a hypodense streak coherent with thromboembolic damage or deep vasculitis. CKT4 lymphocites were 6% (absolute number: 70). The antimycotic treatment, following the positive reaction of the CSF culture to Cryptococcus neoformans, entirely cured the hemiparesis and normalized the CSF while OKT4 lymphocites rapidly growed.