Cryptococcal meningitis in a previously healthy child

Takondwa Chimowa1, Isobel King2, Pui-Ying Iroh Tam1,3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.

An 8-year-old previously healthy female presented with a 3 weeks history of headache, neck stiffness, deafness, fever and vomiting and was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. She had documented hearing loss and was referred to tertiary-level care after treatment with fluconazole did not improve her neurological signs and symptoms. Her symptoms slowly resolved over two months. This case report illustrates the occurrence of cryptococcal meningitis in a non-immunocompromised patient, as well as the challenges of providing effective care in resource-limited settings.

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