CNS Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompetent Adult from a Low Resource Setting: An Illustrative Case Report

Authors

  • David Kitya Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Joseph M Ssembatya Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Blessing M Taremwa Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Herve M Lekuya Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Josephine Najjuma Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Raymond Atwine Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Vallence Niyonzima Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Fuller T Anthony Duke University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47604/jhmn.2165

Keywords:

Cryptococcal Meningitis, Immunocompetent Patient, Uganda

Abstract

Purpose: Cryptococcal infection in the Central Nervous System (CNS) is frequently seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and others with low immunity. CNS cryptococcoma in immunocompetent patients is rare. We present a case of CNS cryptococcoma in an immunocompetent patient and review literature.

Methodology: A 62-year-old, HIV negative, immunocompetent female patient with no known chronic illness, presented with 5 months' history of a progressive headache, associated with on and off episodic generalized convulsions. She had been to several hospitals before referral to our center with a diagnosis of a brain tumor on CT scan imaging. Before this and despite a negative CSF analysis result, she had received treatment for bacterial meningitis with no success.

Findings: At Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), she had surgery with excision biopsy which showed features consistent with cryptococcosis on histology. The patient had a successful adjuvant treatment with antifungal drugs following surgery.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy:  The diagnosis of a CNS cryptococcal infection in an immunocompetent patient and its successful treatment by including surgery, were both unusual. Fatal postsurgical outcomes have been reported by other authors who favor a totally conservative approach to the treatment of this lesion.

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References

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Published

2023-10-31

How to Cite

Kitya , D. ., Ssembatya, J., Taremwa, B., Lekuya, H., Najjuma, J., Atwine, R., … Fuller, A. . (2023). CNS Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompetent Adult from a Low Resource Setting: An Illustrative Case Report. Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 9(3), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.47604/jhmn.2165

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 David Kitya , Joseph M Ssembatya, Blessing M Taremwa , Herve M Lekuya , Josephine Najjuma , Raymond Atwine, Vallence Niyonzima, Fuller T Anthony

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.