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Meningitis due to Rhodotorula glutinis in an HIV infected patient

R S Shinde1, B G Mantur, G Patil

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, District Hospital Compound, Belgaum, Karnataka, India. srupali78@rediffmail.com

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|November 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Rhodotorula glutinis, a yeast, caused meningitis in an immunocompromised patient with human immunodeficiency virus. Antifungal treatment with amphotericin B successfully cleared the infection, leading to recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Rhodotorula spp. are yeasts typically found as harmless saprophytes.
  • Opportunistic mycoses caused by Rhodotorula are increasingly recognized, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection compromises the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.

Observation:

  • A case of chronic meningitis is presented in an immunocompromised patient with a history of HIV infection.
  • The patient presented with persistent fever, indicative of a serious underlying condition.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, including cytology, India ink preparation, Gram staining, and culture, was performed for diagnosis.

Findings:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid culture isolated Rhodotorula glutinis as the causative agent of meningitis.
  • The diagnosis of chronic meningitis was confirmed through various microbiological and cytological methods.
  • Rhodotorula glutinis was identified as an opportunistic pathogen in this specific clinical context.

Implications:

  • This case highlights Rhodotorula glutinis as a potential cause of life-threatening opportunistic infections, specifically meningitis.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy, such as amphotericin B, are crucial for successful treatment outcomes.
  • The findings underscore the importance of considering less common fungal pathogens in the differential diagnosis of meningitis in immunocompromised patients.

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