Disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis, peritonitis, and cryptococcemia in a HIV-negative patient with cirrhosis: a case report

Baligh Ramzi Yehia; Michael Eberlein; Stephen D Sisson; David N Hager

doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-170

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Disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis, peritonitis, and cryptococcemia in a HIV-negative patient with cirrhosis: a case report

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Disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis, peritonitis, and cryptococcemia in a HIV-negative patient with cirrhosis: a case report

Baligh Ramzi Yehia, Michael Eberlein, Stephen D Sisson and David N Hager

Cases journal, Vol.2(10), pp.170-170

2009

DOI: 10.1186/1757-1626-2-170

PMCID: PMC2783126

PMID: 19946481

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Abstract

Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that causes serious infections in immunocompromised populations. The majority of cases occur in HIV-infected individuals. Disseminated disease is uncommon, and very rarely includes peritonitis. Case presentation: We report a case of a 41-year-old, HIV-negative, Caucasian man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who presented with fever and seizure. Disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis, peritonitis, and cryptococcemia was diagnosed, and despite adequate treatment the patient developed multi-system organ failure and eventually expired. Conclusion: Disseminated cryptococcosis, particularly with peritonitis, is an uncommon manifestation of Cryptococcus neoformans infection. Liver cirrhosis serves as a risk factor for disseminated disease in HIV-negative patients. A high clinical suspicion and early initiation of therapy is needed to recognize and treat patients effectively.

Case Report

Details

Title: Subtitle: Disseminated cryptococcosis with meningitis, peritonitis, and cryptococcemia in a HIV-negative patient with cirrhosis: a case report
Creators: Baligh Ramzi Yehia - Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 9020, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Michael Eberlein - Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 9020, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Stephen D Sisson - Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 9020, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
David N Hager - Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 9020, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Cases journal, Vol.2(10), pp.170-170
DOI: 10.1186/1757-1626-2-170
PMID: 19946481
PMCID: PMC2783126
NLM abbreviation: Cases J
ISSN: 1757-1626
eISSN: 1757-1626
Publisher: BioMed Central
Language: English
Date published: 2009
Academic Unit: Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094741102771

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