Neurocryptococcosis caused by nonencapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans

The case of a patient with meningoencephafalitis due to a nonencapsulated strain of Cryptococcus neoformans is reported; he had no risk factors for the disease or AIDS. Clinical examination showed a chronic meningoencephalitis first diagnosed as tuberculosis. In the second cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 1993-09, Vol.51 (3), p.395
Main Authors: Lacaz, C S, Heins-Vaccari, E M, Melo, N T, Moreno-Carvalho, O A, Sampaio, M L, Nogueira, L S, Badaró, R J, Livramento, J A
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Aged
Cryptococcosis - cerebrospinal fluid
Cryptococcosis - diagnosis
Cryptococcus neoformans - ultrastructure
Humans
Male
Meningoencephalitis - cerebrospinal fluid
Meningoencephalitis - diagnosis
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
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Summary:The case of a patient with meningoencephafalitis due to a nonencapsulated strain of Cryptococcus neoformans is reported; he had no risk factors for the disease or AIDS. Clinical examination showed a chronic meningoencephalitis first diagnosed as tuberculosis. In the second cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination after a week from admission yeasts appeared inside macrophage cells. CSF culture in Sabouraud medium disclosed nonencapsulated Cryptococcus neoformans (biochemical identification). Sample inoculation in mouse (intraperitoneal) evidenced a capsule that disappeared in several consecutive cultures. The morphology of the yeast was studied by electronic microscopy. After treatment with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine the patient had a favorable evolution. The significance of capsular material is discussed.
ISSN:0004-282X