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Seizure in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis
Somsak Tiamkao1, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, Verajit Chotmongkol
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. somtia@kku.ac.th
Summary
Seizures occur in 7.6% of non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis cases, with generalized tonic-clonic seizures being most common. Standard therapy often controls seizures without additional antiepileptic drugs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Cryptococcal meningitis is a serious infection, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems.
- Seizures are a known neurological complication of meningitis, but their prevalence in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and patterns of seizures in patients with non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis.
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes of seizures in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of non-HIV adult patients diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis between 1990 and 1994.
- Analysis of seizure occurrence, seizure types, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Eight out of 105 patients (7.6%) presented with seizures.
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTC) was the most frequent seizure pattern.
- One patient experienced persistent seizures despite conventional therapy, and another developed GTC post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizure is the predominant seizure type in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis.
- Standard treatment regimens for cryptococcal meningitis are often effective in controlling seizures, frequently obviating the need for antiepileptic drugs.
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