Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
13:50

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

Published on: June 11, 2011

Cryptococcal meningitis in patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus: experience in a tertiary hospital

Su Jin Lee1, Hee Kyoung Choi, Jungmin Son

  • 1Medical Research Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.

Yonsei Medical Journal
|April 14, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cryptococcal meningitis, a serious infection, presents with headache and fever. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial, especially for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, to reduce mortality and monitor for recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis is a significant opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.
  • It can also affect immunocompetent individuals without apparent underlying conditions.
  • Limited data exists on cryptococcal meningitis within the Korean population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics of cryptococcal meningitis.
  • To analyze initial laboratory findings in patients with and without HIV.
  • To compare patient groups at a tertiary care hospital.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study conducted from January 2001 to December 2009.
  • Inclusion of 11 HIV-positive and 9 HIV-negative patients.
  • Data collected from a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Main Results:

  • Headache and fever were the most frequent symptoms.
  • Associated conditions in HIV-negative patients included diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal disease, and liver cirrhosis.
  • HIV-positive patients exhibited lower CD4+ cell counts and a higher fungal burden.
  • No significant differences in CRP or cerebrospinal fluid parameters were noted between groups.
  • In-hospital mortality was 10%; recurrence occurred in 3 HIV-positive patients within 5 months.

Conclusions:

  • Rapid diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis are essential to reduce mortality.
  • Close follow-up is necessary to monitor for recurrence, particularly in advanced HIV cases.

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture11:14

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture

Published on: October 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...