A Clinicomycological Study of Meningitis among HIV Seropositive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Odisha

Dr. Ankita Patro

Abstract: Cryptococcal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans an opportunistic infection in HIV seropositive patients. It is one of the presenting manifestation of AIDS. This encapsulated yeast is found in soil contaminated with bird droppings particularly from pigeons & chickens, usually inhaled through lungs and remain dormant for many years. Reactivation which occur primarily among immunosuppressed individuals such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (PLHA), leads to infection and most of which is meningitis. It is most common lethal fungal infection in patients with AIDS worldwide. CM is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among PLHA worldwide. Recent data indicates that the incidence of cryptococcal infection is high in developing countries such as India. It is the most common central nervous system (CNS) fungal pathogen in PLHAs. The clinical signs and symptoms of Cryptococcus neoformans are indistinguishable from those of many other causes of meningitis.

Keywords: Cryptococcal meningitis, PLHA, Western Odisha