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Cryptococcus gattii infection causing fulminant intracranial hypertension
1Intensive Care Unit, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington St Campus, Perth 6011, Western Australia. brom@doctors.org.uk
British Journal of Anaesthesia
|July 28, 2007
Summary
A rare fatal case of Cryptococcus gattii infection presented as fulminant cryptococcaemia with severe intracranial hypertension. This highlights crucial diagnostic and therapeutic considerations for this aggressive fungal meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Cryptococcus neoformans variety gattii (C. gattii) typically causes indolent meningitis in immunocompetent hosts.
- Headache is the most common presenting symptom of C. gattii meningitis.
- Fulminant C. gattii infections are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- This report details a fatal case of fulminant cryptococcaemia caused by C. gattii.
- The patient presented with severe intracranial hypertension.
- The illness course was unusually rapid and aggressive.
Findings:
- Fulminant cryptococcaemia with severe intracranial hypertension is a rare but lethal manifestation of C. gattii.
- Computed tomography (CT) plays a vital role in preventing complications from lumbar puncture in suspected C. gattii meningitis.
- Management of intracranial hypertension (ICH) in critically ill patients requires careful consideration.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of C. gattii infections.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for timely intervention in severe C. gattii meningitis.
- Adherence to neuroimaging guidelines before lumbar puncture can mitigate risks in patients with suspected C. gattii meningitis.
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