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Meningitisis the kindling of the meninx , which are the tissue layer lining of the brain and spinal electric cord . While most of the causes of meningitis let in computer virus and bacterium , sometimes fungous transmission also get meningitis .
Cryptococcal meningitis ( CM ) is one such fungal contagion stimulate by fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii . This transmission can sometimes involve healthy citizenry but is more ordinarily see in immune - compromise patient and as an opportunistic transmission in persons havingAIDS . It is termed as Cryptococcosis or cryptococcal disease .
Causes, Risk Factors And Spread Or Transmission Of Cryptococcal Meningitis
The Cryptococcus fungus is present almost everywhere in the soil , bird droppings or trees detritus . The spread may commonly occur due to breathe in microscopical airborne spores . While healthy hoi polloi can fight with the infection with minimal complaints or mild respiratory discomfort ; masses with a weak immune system are at peril of more serious consequences .
Cryptococcosis or Cryptococcal meningitis is caused when the fungous transmission from the lungs spread to the brain . Cryptococcal meningitis is not contagious and does not spread from soul to somebody . The fungous infection spreads from some other part of the physical structure through bloodstream , verbatim intromission into the bloodstream or when a situation near the central queasy organisation gets infected .
The fungal infection in persons with AIDS and weak resistant system can stay latent and may spring up during exceptional conditions causing more serious disease and can even spread to other parts of the torso . Persons at risk of cryptococcal meningitis include mass suffering from cancer of the blood , sarcoidosis , cirrhosis , lymphoma , diabetes , undergoing electric organ transplant or those on long terminal figure medicament like steroids or others that weaken the immune arrangement .
masses living in sure areas can be at an increase risk of fungous lung infection ; pregnant women , premature and scummy nascency weight baby are at hazard too .
Symptoms Of Cryptococcal Meningitis
The presentation of cryptococcal meningitis ( CM ) may develop gradually over a period of few days to few hebdomad . symptom include headache , febrility , neck stiffness , may be accompanied with nausea and vomiting , increased sensitivity to Light Within ( photophobia ) , confusion , hallucination or alteration in genial condition and behavioural changes .
Meningitis postulate to be attended immediately and treatment should begin at the earliest . If cryptococcal meningitis ( CM ) is go away untreated , it can lead to more solemn import like accretion of fluid in the brain ( hydrocephalus ) , brain damage , coma and sometimes loss of auditory sense . This can be more serious in AIDS patients . In some case , cryptococcal meningitis ( CM ) can prove to be fatal .
Diagnosis Of Cryptococcal Meningitis
Clinical mark and physical exam reveals distinctive signs of meningitis , fever , neck stiffness , increase mettle rate and sometimes altered mental position . Blood tests and other laboratory investigations are done to determine the infection .
Cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) , a fluid present in the spinal corduroy , is collect by the procedure called spinal water faucet . Blood and CSF are test and culture for the comportment of the cryptococcal fungi . confirm and determining the specific type of fungal organism induce meningitis is of import to project the further architectural plan of management . Specialized laboratory tests are perform depending on the suspect fungous type and their bearing is confirmed .
mental imagery studies like MRI or CT scan of brain may be occupy if ask . In some cases , imagination studies are important to determine the presence of aggregate lesion in the genius or hydrocephalus , to determine the increased risk of spinal tap or lumbar puncture and to project diagnosis and direction consequently .
Treatment Of Cryptococcal Meningitis
Once the fungal contagion of cryptococcal meningitis is confirmed , an fungicidal discussion , mostly in high doses is given . The end of treatment is to stop or control the contagion and repress mortality in wicked cases .
The medications , loony toons and length of therapy depend on the severity of infection , character of kingdom Fungi , resistant status of the mortal and other pre - existent sickness . In subject of somebody with a counteract immune system of rules like those suffering from AIDS , cancer intervention or diabetes , a longer duration of treatment may be demand .
Prevention Of Cryptococcal Meningitis
As the causative fungal organisms are present in grunge everywhere , avoiding soil and surroundings that can be contaminate may help in prevent cryptococcal infection to some extent . Persons with HIV infection take to avoid exposure as much as possible . Those soul who are at greater danger or those who have a feeble immune system , can preclude cryptococcal infection by trying to avoid vulnerability to bird dung , dig soil and related activities , especially when stay in region more probable to be impress with spores or fungi .
Cryptococcal infections and their maturation into cryptococcal meningitis is a issue of fear in immune - compromise and HIV - infected persons . extra care , proper aesculapian facilities , prophylactic and preventive therapy , regular screening and power of health care facility to do diagnostic or dipstick tests is essential .
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