[Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis in AIDS]

Abstract

The risk for AIDS patients from Cryptococcus neoformans is outlined on the basis of a case report on a 28-year old male patient whose disease was complicated by cryptococcosis. Beside the description of the diagnosis of cryptococcosis (demonstration of the agent and its antigen), epidemiological associations (habitat of Cr. neoformans in fecal matter of birds) and the clinically, mostly not recognized, route of infection via the lungs is stressed. The effective therapy with the combination of amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine, which also in this case has been successful is described from the clinical and microbiological angles. Finally, proposals for the prevention of Cr. neoformans infections in AIDS patients and for a special mycological surveillance directed at this fungus are made.