Meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformansis most often acquired by
A. Head trauma
B. Primary gastrointestinal infection
C. Hematogenous spread of fungus from the lung
D. Orthopedic surgery
A. Head trauma
B. Primary gastrointestinal infection
C. Hematogenous spread of fungus from the lung
D. Orthopedic surgery
Ans. C.
C.neoformans
causes cryptococcus, especially cryptococcal meningitis. C. neoformans is an
oval, budding yeast surrounded by a large polysaccharide capsule. It occurs
widely in nature and grows abundantly in soil containing bird droppings. The
organism is most often inhaled and spread hematogenously from the lungs. Lung
infections range from asymptomatic to pneumonia. Cryptococcosis is the most
common encapsulated infection in the immunocompromised host. The organism
disseminates hematogenously to the central nervous system (meningitis) andother
organs. It can be cultured from cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or diagnosed by
serologic tests for either antibody or antigen. Amphotericin B and
flucytosine are used to treat cryptococcal meningitis.
