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Chronic meningitis caused by Trichosporon beigelii in India

M S Mathews1, S Prabhakar

  • 1Microbiology Department, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India.

Mycoses
|March 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

A rare fungal meningitis caused by Trichosporon beigelii occurred in a woman after a myelogram. This is the first documented case of meningitis proven to be caused by this specific fungus.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Myelography is an imaging procedure that involves injecting contrast dye into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to visualize the spinal cord and nerve roots.
  • Fungal meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often associated with immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • A 36-year-old woman presented with symptoms of meningitis shortly after undergoing a myelogram.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed the presence of Trichosporon beigelii on two separate occasions.

Findings:

  • The patient developed fatal meningitis, with the causative agent identified as Trichosporon beigelii.
  • This case marks the first culture-proven instance of meningitis attributed to Trichosporon beigelii.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential risk of opportunistic fungal infections following invasive neurological procedures like myelography.
  • Underscores the importance of considering rare fungal pathogens in the differential diagnosis of meningitis, especially in post-procedural settings.
  • Suggests a need for enhanced vigilance and potentially revised protocols for aseptic techniques during myelography to prevent rare but severe complications.

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