免疫正常儿童原发隐球菌脑膜脑炎的MRI表现及血管改变特点

目的探讨儿童原发隐球菌脑膜脑炎(CM)的MRI表现及血管改变特点。方法回顾性分析17例临床证实为CM的免疫正常患儿资料。所有患儿均接受头颅MR平扫;9例接受增强扫描;13例接受头颅MRA和MRV,其中7例为增强后MRA和MRV。结果 17例患儿MR检查均为阳性。平扫主要表现为脑室系统扩张伴有双侧脑室旁水肿5例,脑实质内血管周围间隙增宽12例,脑实质内出现胶状假囊7例,脑实质内水肿10例,基底节钙化1例。9例接受增强扫描的患儿中,7例颅内可见异常强化灶。13例经MRA检查发现6例异常,主要为动脉主干的变细、狭窄或分支减少;且13例均经MRV检查发现静脉窦异常,主要为横窦和(或)乙状窦变细、中断或消失,颈内静脉或直窦消失。结论头颅MR检查可较为准确地反映CM的病理学特征,有利于临床早期诊断并及时治疗MR检查可较为准确地反映CM的病理学特征,有利于临床早期诊断并及时治疗     

A case–control study of human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with cryptococcemia and cryptococcal meningitis in a Chinese tertiary care hospital during 10 years

ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterize patients with cryptococcemia and compare the clinical features of cryptococcemia and cryptococcal meningitis.MethodsThis was a retrospective, case–control study. We retrospectively identified blood cultures with Cryptococcus spp. growth. Controls were hospitalized patients who suffered from cryptococcal meningitis, but did not experience cryptococcemia. Controls and cases were matched by admission date, age, sex, and body weight. Clinical information was analyzed by two independent reviewers.ResultsEight patients with cryptococcemia and eight patients with cryptococcal meningitis were included. They were all negative for human immunodeficiency virus. The most common underlying disease was primary nephrotic syndrome. All patients presented with fever. The incidence of headache, nausea/vomiting, seizures, and cough/expectoration was significantly lower in patients with cryptococcemia than in those with cryptococcal meningitis. All clinical strains of Cryptococcus, except for one, were sensitive to fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and flucytosine in vitro. The rate of receiving an amphotericin B-containing regimen was significantly higher in patients with cryptococcal meningitis than in those with cryptococcemia. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in cryptococcemia cases compared with cryptococcal meningitis cases.ConclusionCryptococcemia is an unusual infection characterized by a high mortality. Cryptococcemia requires early identification and prompt antifungal therapy.     

Cryptococcosis and cryptococcal meningitis: New predictors and clinical outcomes at a United States academic medical centre

As the diagnosis of cryptococcosis is challenging in low‐prevalence settings, uncovering predictive factors can improve early diagnosis and timely treatment. The aim of the study was to relate clinical outcomes to predictive variables for the presence of cryptococcosis. A retrospective case‐control study matched by collection date, age and gender at a 1:2 ratio (55 cases and 112 controls) was performed in case patients diagnosed with Cryptococcus infection at the University of Colorado Hospital between 2000 and 2017 (n = 167). A bivariate and a forward, stepwise multivariable logistic regression model were performed to identify predictors of cryptococcosis infection. In an adjusted multivariable model, cryptococcal infection was significantly associated with the presence of respiratory symptoms, hyponatremia, lung disease or corticosteroids. Additionally, cryptococcal meningitis was associated with headaches, corticosteroids or increased CSF protein. Conversely, a reduced risk of cryptococcosis was associated with hypertension or peripheral monocytosis. Cryptococcal meningitis leads to subsequent hearing impairment (16% vs 4% (control), P = .013), muscle weakness (40% vs 20%, P = .021), cognitive deficits (33% vs 6%, P = .0001) or any adverse outcome (84% vs 29%, P = .0001). We uncovered novel clinical predictors for the presence of cryptococcal infection or cryptococcal meningitis. This study in patients at a low‐prevalence US medical centre underscores the importance of early diagnosis in this population.     

隐球菌性脑膜脑炎的CT和MRI表现

目的:探讨CT和MRI在隐球菌性脑膜脑炎诊断中的应用.方法:回顾性分析通过脑脊液墨汁染色或培养证实的隐球菌性脑膜脑炎21例,其中男13例,女8例,年龄8～53岁,主要症状有头痛、恶心、呕吐、发热.21例患者中6例同时行头颅CT和MRI检查,6例仅行MRI检查,9例仅行CT检查.结果:21例患者20例影像学检查为阳性,主要表现有软脑膜异常强化13例,脑内斑片样损害灶4例,基底节区、半卵圆中心多发点片状异常信号或密度灶5例,脑积水5例.结论:CT及MRI表现能够反映隐球菌性脑膜脑炎的病理学特征,软脑膜强化及伴发的深部脑组织病变是隐脑的常见表现.     

Cryptococcus gattii infection causing fulminant intracranial hypertension

Cryptococcus neoformans variety gattii (C. gattii) causes infectionin predominantly immunocompetent individuals. The majority ofcases present with headache due to meningitis and its naturalhistory normally follows an indolent course. We report a fatalcase of fulminant cryptococcaemia culminating in severe intracranialhypertension due to C. gattii. Such cases of fulminant diseaseare rare and highlight a number of important therapeutic anddiagnostic considerations. We discuss the atypical nature ofthis patient's illness, the major complications of C. gattiimeningitis and the role of computed tomography (CT) in preventingserious sequelae from lumbar puncture. The management of intracranialhypertension (ICH) in critically ill patients is also reviewed.     

Treatment of cryptococcal meningitis with low-dose amphotericin B and flucytosine

Background  Amphotericin B (0.7 mg/kg) with flucytosine is the standard treatment for cryptococcal meningitis. However, the long treatment course can induce adverse reactions in patients; therefore, reducing the dose may decrease such reactions. We performed a retrospective analysis of treatment effects and adverse reactions when amphotericin B (0.4 mg/kg or 0.7 mg/kg per day) and flucytosine were used together to treat HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

Methods  Retrospective analysis was conducted on inpatients at the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University (January 2005 to December 2009). Low- or high-dose amphotericin B (0.4 or 0.7 mg/kg per day, respectively) plus flucytosine was used. The negative conversion rate of Cryptococcus in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), patient mortality, and the incidence of side effects for the two groups (low- vs. high-dose) were compared immediately after treatment and 2 and 10 weeks later. Data were analyzed by the Student’s t test, chi-square tests using SPSS 12.0 statistical software.

Results  Two weeks post-treatment, Cryptococcus negative CSF rates were 78% (18/23) in the low-dose group and 87% (13/15) in the high-dose group (P=0.28). Ten weeks post-treatment, both groups were negative. The mortality rate was 8% (2/25) in the low-dose group and 17% (3/18) in the high-dose group (P=0.25). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the groups, 48% (12/25) and 78% (14/18) in the low- and high-dose groups, respectively (P=0.04). Adverse events that required a change in treatment program in the low-dose group were 12% (3/25) compared to 39% (7/18) in the high-dose group (P=0.04).

Conclusion  Low-dose treatment regimens were better tolerated than high-dose ones.

     

63例艾滋病合并隐球菌脑膜炎患者临床特点分析

目的?分析AIDS合并隐球菌脑膜炎（cryptococcal meningitis, CM）患者的临床特点。方法?采用横断面研究,收集首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院于2019年1月—2022年1月确诊并治疗的AIDS合并CM患者的临床特点、实验室检查结果及预后资料。结果?共纳入63例AIDS合并CM的病例。患者平均年龄（37.22±10.95）岁,CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数中位数为22个/μl。总病死率为15.9%（10/63）。63例患者中,死亡（死亡组）10例,中位生存时间5 d,正常出院（正常出院组）53例。分析结果显示死亡组的低CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数、合并隐球菌菌血症、颅内高压、白细胞计数升高及血小板计数降低发生率高于正常出院组（P均＜0.05）。死亡组临床表现包括脑膜刺激征、颅神经受累、意识障碍的发生率高于正常出院组（P均＜0.05）。结论?AIDS合并CM患者病死率较高,应针对高危人群加强宣教及隐球菌筛查,保持良好依从性,及时发现耐药,避免自行停药,便于早期诊断,早期干预。     

氟康唑治疗隐球菌脑膜炎24例临床分析

目的 探讨氟康唑单用或联合氟胞嘧啶治疗非AIDS相关隐球菌脑膜炎(隐脑)的临床特征、疗效及转归.方法 回顾性分析复旦大学附属华山医院1997年至2007年间24例非AIDS相关隐脑病例(初始治疗均为氟康唑单用或联合氟胞嘧啶),观察其临床特点、疗效及转归.采用算术平均数和中位数进行统计学分析.结果 氟康唑治疗中位剂量为400 mg/d,中位疗程为20.5 d.初始治疗2周时,部分应答4例,占16.7%.无应答20例,占83.3%,有效率为16.7%,无死亡病例.治疗10周时,部分应答8例,占33.3%,完全应答7例,占29.2%,无应答4例,占16.7%,有效率为62.5%,死亡5例,占20.8%.病程中22例因疗效不佳而加用或改用两性霉索B、两性霉素B脂质分散体或伊曲康唑等.随访1年,24例中有11例死亡,其中8例死于隐脑,3例死于其他疾病.结论 对于非AIDS相关隐脑,以氟康唑单用或联合氟胞嘧啶作为初始治疗者疗效不佳,大部分息者因治疗失败而需改用其他抗真菌药物治疗,提示该方案不适用于非AIDS相关隐脑的初始治疗.     

Cryptococcal lymphadenitis in HIV: A chance diagnosis by FNAC

Cryptococcosis is a life threatening, opportunistic fungal disease in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected individual. Lymph node involvement as a presenting feature in Cryptococcosis is not a common manifestation. A prompt diagnosis is of utmost importance in this disseminated form of cryptococcosis. There are very few reports, however, of cryptococcal lymphadenitis as a presenting feature. We report here a case of cryptococcal lymphadenitis that was diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology of the involved cervical lymph node. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.