BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMeningitis - cryptococcalCryptococcal meningitisCryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. These tissues are called meninges.MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes In most cases, cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. This fungus is found in soil around the world. Cryptococcus gattii can also cause meningitis, but this form can cause disease in patients with a normal immune system as well.This type of meningitis is not spread from person to person. Usually, it spreads through the bloodstream to the brain from another place in the body that has the infection. Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis most often affects people with a weakened immune system, including people with:AIDS AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cirrhosis (a type of liver disease) Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma LymphomaHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An organ transplant The disease is rare in people who have a normal immune system and no long-term health problems. Symptoms This form of meningitis starts slowly, over a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms may include:Fever Hallucinations HallucinationsHallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Mental status change (confusion) Mental status changeConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to lightPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stiff neck Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms.A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is used to diagnose meningitis. In this test, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is removed from your spine and tested.Spinal tapCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests that may be done include:Blood culture Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cryptococcal antigen in CSF or blood CSF examination for cell count, glucose, and protein CT scan of the head CT scan of the headA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gram stain, other special stains, and culture of CSFCulture of CSFA cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture is a laboratory test to look for bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the fluid that moves in the space around the spi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Antifungal medicines are used to treat this form of meningitis. Intravenous (IV, through a vein) therapy with amphotericin B is the most common treatment. It is often combined with an oral antifungal medicine called 5-flucytosine.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Another oral drug, fluconazole, in high doses may also be effective. If needed, it will be prescribed later in the disease course. Outlook (Prognosis) People who recover from cryptococcal meningitis need long-term medicine to prevent the infection from coming back. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, will also need long-term treatment to improve their immune system. Possible Complications These complications may occur from this infection:Brain damage Hearing or vision loss HearingHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hydrocephalus (excessive CSF in the brain) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death Amphotericin B can have side effects such as:Nausea and vomiting Fever and chills Joint and muscles aches Kidney damage When to Contact a Medical Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has these symptoms:Feeding difficulties High-pitched cry Irritability Persistent, unexplained fever Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Fungal meningitis. www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html. Updated May 25, 2021. Accessed December 30, 2022.Kauffman CA, Chen S. Cryptococcosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 317.Perfect JR. Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 262.AllVideoImagesTogCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationCentral nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.Central nervous system and peripheral nervous systemillustrationRelated Information HIV/AIDS(Condition)Hodgkin lymphoma(Condition)Diabetes(Condition)Hydrocephalus(Condition)Hodgkin disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/4/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Meningitis - cryptococcalCryptococcal meningitisCryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. These tissues are called meninges.MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes In most cases, cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. This fungus is found in soil around the world. Cryptococcus gattii can also cause meningitis, but this form can cause disease in patients with a normal immune system as well.This type of meningitis is not spread from person to person. Usually, it spreads through the bloodstream to the brain from another place in the body that has the infection. Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis most often affects people with a weakened immune system, including people with:AIDS AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cirrhosis (a type of liver disease) Diabetes DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Leukemia LeukemiaLeukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphoma LymphomaHodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and other sites.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sarcoidosis SarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, and/or other tissues.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An organ transplant The disease is rare in people who have a normal immune system and no long-term health problems. Symptoms This form of meningitis starts slowly, over a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms may include:Fever Hallucinations HallucinationsHallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Headache Mental status change (confusion) Mental status changeConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to lightPhotophobia is eye discomfort in bright light.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stiff neck Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms.A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is used to diagnose meningitis. In this test, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is removed from your spine and tested.Spinal tapCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests that may be done include:Blood culture Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cryptococcal antigen in CSF or blood CSF examination for cell count, glucose, and protein CT scan of the head CT scan of the headA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gram stain, other special stains, and culture of CSFCulture of CSFA cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture is a laboratory test to look for bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the fluid that moves in the space around the spi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Antifungal medicines are used to treat this form of meningitis. Intravenous (IV, through a vein) therapy with amphotericin B is the most common treatment. It is often combined with an oral antifungal medicine called 5-flucytosine.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Another oral drug, fluconazole, in high doses may also be effective. If needed, it will be prescribed later in the disease course. Outlook (Prognosis) People who recover from cryptococcal meningitis need long-term medicine to prevent the infection from coming back. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, will also need long-term treatment to improve their immune system. Possible Complications These complications may occur from this infection:Brain damage Hearing or vision loss HearingHearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hydrocephalus (excessive CSF in the brain) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death Amphotericin B can have side effects such as:Nausea and vomiting Fever and chills Joint and muscles aches Kidney damage When to Contact a Medical Professional Call 911 or the local emergency number if you develop any of the serious symptoms listed above. Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency room if you suspect meningitis in a young child who has these symptoms:Feeding difficulties High-pitched cry Irritability Persistent, unexplained fever Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. Fungal meningitis. www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html. Updated May 25, 2021. Accessed December 30, 2022.Kauffman CA, Chen S. Cryptococcosis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 317.Perfect JR. Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 262.