Candidal meningitis in HIV-infected patients

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 1998 Sep;12(9):681-6. doi: 10.1089/apc.1998.12.681.

Abstract

Candida meningitis is considered a rare event in HIV-infected patients, and little is known about risk factors, clinical presentation, therapy of choice, or outcome in this population. In a review of 14 cases, we observed a low frequency of the disease, a strong association to other well-known risk factors for systematic candidiasis, such as intravenous drug use, and a chronic course and clinical features that mimic those of cryptococcal or tuberculous meningitis. Although the role of fluconazole treatment remains to be defined, the combination of amphotericin B with flucytosine offers a survival rate similar to non-HIV-infected patients. In addition, the use of suppressive therapy with fluconazole for a prolonged period after clinical improvement seems recommendable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Candidiasis / drug therapy*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Fungal / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents