Fatal neurocryptococcosis in a Colombian underage patient

Authors

  • Maria Clara Noguera Grupo Caribe de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla, Colombia
  • Patricia Escandón Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
  • Merle Arévalo Grupo Caribe de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla, Colombia
  • Jorge Piedrahita Clínica de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia
  • Elizabeth Castañeda Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.9946

Keywords:

neurocryptococcosis, Cryptococcus gattii, VGII, underage, minor, Colombia

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening mycosis reported mainly in human adults with low frequency in children. High mortality rates may occur in cases with late diagnosis therefore, a timely suspicion of this pathology is important. Cryptococcus gattii is the less prevalent species complex predominantly isolated from apparently normal hosts. We report a fatal case of neurocryptococcosis in a Colombian minor without known risk factors, in Barranquilla, Colombia. The patient was hospitalized for neurological assessment with a recent history of intense headache, vomiting, anorexia, loss of consciousness, drowsiness, inability to recognize family members, disorientation, aphasia and anxiety. Despite initiating antifungal treatment after isolation of the fungus from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the patient died early due to his deteriorated condition.

Author Biographies

Maria Clara Noguera, Grupo Caribe de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla, Colombia

Departamento del Atlántico

Patricia Escandón, Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia

Grupo de Microbiología

Merle Arévalo, Grupo Caribe de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla, Colombia

Grupo Caribe de Enfermedades Infecciosas

Jorge Piedrahita, Clínica de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia

 pediatrician infectologist

Elizabeth Castañeda, Grupo de Microbiología, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia

investigadora emerita

 

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Published

2019-11-30

How to Cite

1.
Noguera MC, Escandón P, Arévalo M, Piedrahita J, Castañeda E (2019) Fatal neurocryptococcosis in a Colombian underage patient. J Infect Dev Ctries 13:1072–1075. doi: 10.3855/jidc.9946

Issue

Section

Case Reports