Cryptococcal meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis (pronounced: krip-toe-kok-al men-in-jai-tis) is a serious infection of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii.
Etymology
The term "Cryptococcal meningitis" is derived from the Greek words "kryptos" meaning hidden, "kokkos" meaning berry, and "meningitis" meaning inflammation of the meninges.
Causes
Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the inhalation of the Cryptococcus fungi, which are commonly found in soil and bird droppings. The disease is particularly common in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cryptococcal meningitis may include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and changes in mental status.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically made by identifying the Cryptococcus fungus in a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained via lumbar puncture.
Treatment
Treatment typically involves long-term antifungal therapy, often with a combination of amphotericin B and flucytosine. Following initial treatment, maintenance therapy with fluconazole is often recommended.
Prognosis
Without treatment, cryptococcal meningitis is usually fatal. Even with treatment, the disease can cause significant complications, including brain damage and hearing loss.
Prevention
Prevention strategies include avoiding exposure to bird droppings and taking antifungal medications in individuals with weakened immune systems.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cryptococcal meningitis
- Wikipedia's article - Cryptococcal meningitis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski