Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

7.4K

Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Sadaf Sheikh1, Umair Javed2

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|May 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is rare in immunocompetent individuals but can cause severe neurological issues. Early diagnosis and antifungal treatment are crucial for managing this opportunistic infection.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is typically an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals.
  • However, Cryptococcus neoformans can cause severe disease in immunocompetent hosts, presenting atypical neurological symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old male with no known immunosuppressive conditions presented with a year of worsening gait disturbances and lethargy.
  • Brain imaging revealed hydrocephalus, prompting a lumbar puncture.
  • Cultures confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans infection.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis despite being immunocompetent.
  • Successful treatment was achieved with antifungal medications.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering uncommon causes of meningitis in immunocompetent patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
  • Emergency physicians and clinicians should be aware of atypical presentations of CM.
  • Prompt diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy are vital for favorable outcomes.

More Related Videos

Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice05:10

Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice

Published on: October 3, 2010

12.3K
Macrophage Cholesterol Depletion and Its Effect on the Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans11:07

Macrophage Cholesterol Depletion and Its Effect on the Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: December 19, 2014

12.8K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
129
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
1.2K
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
1.5K
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
466
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
350
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...
335