Meningeal cryptococcosis in patients non infected with HIV: presentation of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease of global distribution with a higher incidence in developing countries, where it represents one of the main causes of meningitis, associated with high morbidity and mortality. It mainly occurs in patients with immunosuppression (due to HIV infection, glucocorticoid treatment, transplants, cancer, etc.). However, in recent years there has been an increase in cases in immunocompetent, which is as serious or more severe than in immunocompromised. We report two cases of cryptococcal meningitis. A 48-year-old male with no pathological history, in whom HIV infection or another cause of immunosuppression was ruled out, and a 67-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The above mentioned highlights the importance of always considering Cryptococcus spp. as possible causative agent of meningitis, in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.