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Meningitis - cryptococcal - Overview

Alternative Names

Cryptococcal meningitis

Definition of Meningitis - cryptococcal:

Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. This fungus is found in soil around the world.

Cryptococcal meningitis most often affects people with compromised immune systems. Risk factors include:

It occurs in 5 out of 1 million people.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kauffman CA. Cryptococcosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 357.

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