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Complementary Use of Microscopic Techniques and Fluorescence Reading in Studying Cryptococcus-Amoeba Interactions
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A novel cause of emergent hyperammonemia: Cryptococcal fungemia and meningitis

William B Hannah1,2,3, Gregory Nizialek4,5, Katherine J Dempsey1,2

  • 1Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports
|December 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcus neoformans infection can cause dangerous hyperammonemia in immunocompromised patients. This case highlights the need to consider fungal infections in hyperammonemic emergencies, especially in kidney disease patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Hyperammonemic emergencies necessitate identifying underlying causes, with infection being a critical consideration in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans is a known urease-producing fungus, but its role in causing hyperammonemia has not been previously documented.

Observation:

  • A case report details an immunocompromised male patient with acute-on-chronic kidney disease.
  • The patient presented with a hyperammonemic crisis.

Findings:

  • The hyperammonemic crisis was attributed to Cryptococcal meningitis and fungemia.
  • This represents a novel association between Cryptococcus neoformans infection and hyperammonemia.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Cryptococcus neoformans as a potential cause of hyperammonemia, particularly in immunocompromised patients with kidney disease.
  • Awareness of this fungal etiology is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of hyperammonemic crises.
Keywords:
Cryptococcus neoformansHyperammonemia

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