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Case Reports
. 2023 May 31;17(5):623-630.
doi: 10.3855/jidc.17170.

Cryptococcal meningitis post-covid-19 infection: Immunomodulation, a double-edged sword

Hilal W Abdessamad  1 , Michel Achkar  2 , Amal Al Zoghbi  3 , Mohamad Fleifel  2 , Abdul Rahman Ousta  4 , Ahmad Kassar  4 , Nadia L Samaha  5 , Rita Nemr  3 , Anna Farra  1 , Jacques E Mokhbat  1 , Rola Husni  1
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Free article
Case Reports

Cryptococcal meningitis post-covid-19 infection: Immunomodulation, a double-edged sword

Hilal W Abdessamad et al. J Infect Dev Ctries. .
Free article

Abstract

Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic infection associated with altered immunity. Immunomodulatory agent use in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose such infections. Here, we present a 75-year-old male patient who presented with fever and altered general status after severe COVID-19 infection and developed cryptococcal meningitis. Opportunistic infection may arise from the use of immunomodulation in severe COVID-19, especially in the elderly population. This article describes the case and extensively reviews cryptococcal disease post-COVID-19 literature, highlighting the risk from immunosuppressive treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; cryptococcus; immunomodulation; meningitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

No Conflict of Interest is declared

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